I can't remember where or when I heard this, but in response to hearing, "I'm having a bad day," someone said not to look at is as a bad day, but a bad moment. To put out there that you're having a 'bad day,' sets your whole day up for failure.
Though I can't remember the source, this is a great piece of advice. Whatever hat you're wearing at that pivotal moment - whether you're at work, helping out a friend, or at the park with your children, it's so easy to let one bad moment set the tone for your day. Funny how a bad run at breakfast with the kids can put you in a funk all morning. Whenever I'm having one of those moments, I think back to that piece of advice (I'm thinking it was Oprah), and remember that it's okay to get upset over this bad moment I'm having, but then I need to move on. No sense in letting that cat puke I stepped in this morning mess up my whole day.
As a mother, I find I'm constantly being tested. Let's take about 30 minutes ago for example. I was changing AR's diaper and she was not wanting her diaper changed. She was not wanting to be confined to one spot for one second. So she's writhing about on the floor, screaming at the top of her lungs. Then SA, bless his heart, decides at this very moment he really needs a hug. Listening to AR scream, I think I'd want a hug, too. As I'm trying to fasten AR's diaper, SA is making lunges at me squealing with delight, ready to shower me with affection. I must say this kid is adorable. He was giving me his best c'mon-mom-you-know-you-want-a-hug smile. SJ is wanting me to read a book, so he keeps throwing "The Nose Book" at me, throwing a little fit that his need for hearing this book read to him at this very moment is not being met. Then someone's knocking at the door, "I'm here for the open house," he yells through the screen. "It's been cancelled. We have a contract," I yelled back. He just stands there looking like someone just told him his dog died. "I'm sorry," I yell out in his direction, now trying to get AR's skirt back on. I don't know how long he stood there, but I had a task to do and I wasn't about to let AR free until I was finished.
I put them down for their nap, I walked out of their room and just stood there trying to catch my breath. The phone rang.
Me: Hello
A: Hi, Mel! How's it going?
Me: Great! How about you?
And just like that I was fine. Some days I feel like life kicks my *ss. The kids, the housework, everything, but you know what? When I add up all the good, it far outweighs the bad. So whomever it was that dished out that advice, thank you. It has helped me tremendously.
Now...I hope these crazy kids take a loooooooong nap. Mommy needs a little more time to concentrate on all the great stuff to help her appreciate how wonderful everything is. ;)
