No, I'm not smoking something illegal, nor am I drinking any sort of alcoholic beverage. I'm completely serious when I say that I have super-human powers and should probably start my own League of Awesome or something.
What is this great power that I have? What incredible abilities have I been blessed with? Well...I am not faster than a speeding bullet and there is no way web-like sticky material is shooting out of my wrist. But, I have other powers that can change the entire momentum of the day. I can alter the mood of a room in a few short minutes. I can even take a sad situation and make it seem not-so-horrible.
How do I do it? Easy...simply refuse to give in to the grumpy (and you know how I feel about grumpy!). Grumpy is contagious, so be prepared! When you hear the grumpies start...you know, the whining, the complaining about innate and mundane issues, don't join in. I know it's easy to get pulled in...but don't.
Negativity is not productive.
Now this is where the super powers kick in. I have the ability to not only stop the negativity, but I also hold the power to change the course of that unproductive conversation and make it positive. When someone starts it...I cut it off and try to point out something positive. A dose of empathy and a constructive point of view...something that detours the pessimistic chatter down a happier road.
I admit I can be lazy and let those habitual complainers just go on and on (sometimes I have a moment of weakness and chime in...ugh). I'm somewhat convinced those continuously negative people are only happy when they are droning on about how much their life sucks. For those for which there is still hope...I swoop in and utilize my powers of positivity to save the day.
There are times when we all just have to vent...complain about that pain in the bootay boss, or throw a fit because life seems overwhelming. That's cool, we all do it and we all need to do it (and it helps when we have people who will listen to us). It's the constant and general whining about the banal and petty that is the issue here.
I'm not saving lives or taking down master villains from other planets like Super Man, but I am making someone's life a little less evil and a lot more productive.
It's God's job to save the world. It's our job to follow His lead and teach it what love looks like.
So...you can be a super hero as well. You can help others escape the horrors of the negativity monster and have a better day...perhaps a better week and beyond.
Sure, it sounds a little cheesy and you're probably tempted to roll your eyes (it's ok, I forgive you). But try it anyway.
If your cat is stuck in the tree...call Spidey or one of those other guys. You want to create a better and more productive environment? Then text me...or learn to do it yourself, but minus the normal superhero tights.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Just Spit it Out!
Why (oh why!) do we have to torment our loved ones with those manipulative statements like, "I'm so fat/ugly/stupid...blah blah blah etc etc..."?
We all know that you don't really believe those things. You're just feeling insecure and need someone to jump to your rescue and say that you are skinny/beautiful/smart...etc and such. There is an easier, more humane way...truly there is.
You could just ask.
I hate guessing games so just tell me what you need and (because I love you), I'll see what I can do to get you feeling better about You. How silly is it to make derogatory statements about yourself and then hope someone chimes in and says the thing that you need to hear?
This isn't rocket science people, it's basic communication.
All of us have moments of insecurity when we need to hear that we are important. Every single one of us needs to know that we are special and that we matter. There is no shame in showing your vulnerable side and asking for a little reassurance now and again.
On the rare occasion when I've not done as well as I liked on a test at school, I tell my husband that I need to hear how wonderful he thinks I am. There is no guessing, no wondering how to get him to say the things I want to hear...it's an adult conversation which ensures my needs are met.
Sure, I could bemoan my stupidity or denigrate myself and wait for him to catch on...but that is a waste of time and energy. Our friends and family...ok, our real friends and some select relatives, will be more than happy to tell us what we need to hear. Part of a friend's job is to help us through tough times....so stop playing games and just ask them for help.
Now, not everyone is going to get it and you will still hear the occasional whining about someone being too fat/stupid/ugly/whatever....and to that I suggest you put your arms around them and let them know you understand they are feeling a bit down. Then ask them what they need to hear.
If you don't have any friends you can trust with your feelings...then dump those morons and give me a call. I'm always in the market for more genuine people in my life.
We all know that you don't really believe those things. You're just feeling insecure and need someone to jump to your rescue and say that you are skinny/beautiful/smart...etc and such. There is an easier, more humane way...truly there is.
You could just ask.
I hate guessing games so just tell me what you need and (because I love you), I'll see what I can do to get you feeling better about You. How silly is it to make derogatory statements about yourself and then hope someone chimes in and says the thing that you need to hear?
This isn't rocket science people, it's basic communication.
All of us have moments of insecurity when we need to hear that we are important. Every single one of us needs to know that we are special and that we matter. There is no shame in showing your vulnerable side and asking for a little reassurance now and again.
On the rare occasion when I've not done as well as I liked on a test at school, I tell my husband that I need to hear how wonderful he thinks I am. There is no guessing, no wondering how to get him to say the things I want to hear...it's an adult conversation which ensures my needs are met.
Sure, I could bemoan my stupidity or denigrate myself and wait for him to catch on...but that is a waste of time and energy. Our friends and family...ok, our real friends and some select relatives, will be more than happy to tell us what we need to hear. Part of a friend's job is to help us through tough times....so stop playing games and just ask them for help.
Now, not everyone is going to get it and you will still hear the occasional whining about someone being too fat/stupid/ugly/whatever....and to that I suggest you put your arms around them and let them know you understand they are feeling a bit down. Then ask them what they need to hear.
If you don't have any friends you can trust with your feelings...then dump those morons and give me a call. I'm always in the market for more genuine people in my life.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Not That Kind of Girl
If you're looking for someone to shop for overpriced handbags with, and then gossip about the latest celebrity scandal...we can't be friends.
If you're more concerned with your dress size than your ability to positively impact the lives of others, then we probably won't get along.
If you need to call someone at 3am because your boyfriend has cheated on you for the 15th time this year...please lose my number. Trust me, I'll only make you feel worse about sticking with a loser.
See, I believe that friendship is about trust, loyalty, and (most importantly) honesty. Friendship is about helping each other grow in a positive way, and it isn't my job to make you feel better by telling you lies; I'm here to help you be better by showing you the truth in love.
If I value you as a person (and I do), then I owe it to you to be truthful no matter how difficult it might be. And I expect the same from you...friendship is a two-way street.
I'm not suggesting that we should all criticize and berate each other for buying that hideously ugly red dress, or for dating Mr. Yourekiddingme. I'm suggesting that when our friends do epically stupid things (and we all will), we should offer support ...but we should also be a voice of reason if and when we're asked for our opinion.
Friendships should be a safe place for us to be ourselves, to make the stupid mistakes, and to be dorks of the biggest kind. Friendships should be where our hearts are safe and where we can be certain to hear the truth...no matter how difficult it is.
So, if you want the kind of friend who will tell you when you're being a goober, be your cheerleader through the obstacles in life, and will gladly stay up all night with you because you heart is broken...then call me and let's do lunch.
All others need not apply.
If you're more concerned with your dress size than your ability to positively impact the lives of others, then we probably won't get along.
If you need to call someone at 3am because your boyfriend has cheated on you for the 15th time this year...please lose my number. Trust me, I'll only make you feel worse about sticking with a loser.
See, I believe that friendship is about trust, loyalty, and (most importantly) honesty. Friendship is about helping each other grow in a positive way, and it isn't my job to make you feel better by telling you lies; I'm here to help you be better by showing you the truth in love.
If I value you as a person (and I do), then I owe it to you to be truthful no matter how difficult it might be. And I expect the same from you...friendship is a two-way street.
I'm not suggesting that we should all criticize and berate each other for buying that hideously ugly red dress, or for dating Mr. Yourekiddingme. I'm suggesting that when our friends do epically stupid things (and we all will), we should offer support ...but we should also be a voice of reason if and when we're asked for our opinion.
Friendships should be a safe place for us to be ourselves, to make the stupid mistakes, and to be dorks of the biggest kind. Friendships should be where our hearts are safe and where we can be certain to hear the truth...no matter how difficult it is.
So, if you want the kind of friend who will tell you when you're being a goober, be your cheerleader through the obstacles in life, and will gladly stay up all night with you because you heart is broken...then call me and let's do lunch.
All others need not apply.
Friday, July 9, 2010
5 Minutes
I am an airhead, and I make no apologies for my condition.
Thanks to a very short attention span and an obsession with multitasking, I do get a lot done...but I am a slave to my day-planner. Every hour of my day from the time I wake up in the morning to the moment I pass out at night, my time is accounted for.
If I didn't do this, I would accomplish very little and spend my time wandering from task to task bored and frustrated. That doesn't sound like much fun...and I don't do boring.
Because my day is so well planned out, I stick to my schedule I'm very productive when I focus. Unfortunately, because my day is so well planned out, I was missing out on the good stuff in life. I was so obsessed with marking things off of my list, I spent little time doing anything positive for anyone else...and that wasn't cool.
If we all focus on ourselves and forget to give a little love now and again...well that can lead to a lot of grumpy people. Grumpy people can really suck.
So, to remedy the situation, I added something to my daily schedule: 5 Mins <3
This is a time everyday where I was to do something positive for someone else...family member, friend, total and complete stranger, for 5 minutes. It could be something quick like sending a text letting them know I was thinking about them, writing a note and dropping it in the mail, praying for someone who was having a rough time in their life, or writing out a check for a couple of bucks to a local charity.
Anything that wasn't placing the focus on me and my to-do list qualified.
Before I knew it, I was looking forward to that 5 minutes. I was planning them days in advance and it became a real spark of sunshine for me.
Now imagine if ten of us did that. That's 50 minutes of unadulterated love going out to other people. How about if 20 of us did it? 100? How much joy could we send out if we just focused on others for a few short minutes a day?
If you're reading this, please consider dedicating 5 Minutes a day to doing something nice for someone else. Make a conscious effort to do something unexpected, unwarranted, and unselfish to improve the world in which we live.
Imagine how you can make someone's day by showing them a little kindness or paying them some attention. Imagine how cool it would be if someone did it for you.
So take 5 minutes, if not for yourself, then do it for me. I'm kinda tired of all of the grumpy people walking around.
Thanks to a very short attention span and an obsession with multitasking, I do get a lot done...but I am a slave to my day-planner. Every hour of my day from the time I wake up in the morning to the moment I pass out at night, my time is accounted for.
If I didn't do this, I would accomplish very little and spend my time wandering from task to task bored and frustrated. That doesn't sound like much fun...and I don't do boring.
Because my day is so well planned out, I stick to my schedule I'm very productive when I focus. Unfortunately, because my day is so well planned out, I was missing out on the good stuff in life. I was so obsessed with marking things off of my list, I spent little time doing anything positive for anyone else...and that wasn't cool.
If we all focus on ourselves and forget to give a little love now and again...well that can lead to a lot of grumpy people. Grumpy people can really suck.
So, to remedy the situation, I added something to my daily schedule: 5 Mins <3
This is a time everyday where I was to do something positive for someone else...family member, friend, total and complete stranger, for 5 minutes. It could be something quick like sending a text letting them know I was thinking about them, writing a note and dropping it in the mail, praying for someone who was having a rough time in their life, or writing out a check for a couple of bucks to a local charity.
Anything that wasn't placing the focus on me and my to-do list qualified.
Before I knew it, I was looking forward to that 5 minutes. I was planning them days in advance and it became a real spark of sunshine for me.
Now imagine if ten of us did that. That's 50 minutes of unadulterated love going out to other people. How about if 20 of us did it? 100? How much joy could we send out if we just focused on others for a few short minutes a day?
If you're reading this, please consider dedicating 5 Minutes a day to doing something nice for someone else. Make a conscious effort to do something unexpected, unwarranted, and unselfish to improve the world in which we live.
Imagine how you can make someone's day by showing them a little kindness or paying them some attention. Imagine how cool it would be if someone did it for you.
So take 5 minutes, if not for yourself, then do it for me. I'm kinda tired of all of the grumpy people walking around.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
It's Just Crap
"You might have cancer."
Not what I was expecting to hear while I was barreling down the freeway at top speed, but that's what I get for answering my cell phone while driving.
Once I finished my errands for the day, I headed home and contemplated this little bit of news.
Cancer. Hhhhmmmm......
Now there was only a 30% chance that I had cancer, so that meant there was a 70% chance I didn't have it. 30% doesn't sound like much, but when it concerns you then it is amazing how big that little number can be. Even so, I had decent odds.
The disease itself didn't scare me. If I had it I'd deal with it just I had dealt with everything else in life: head-on, but the not knowing was the worse part. 28 days between that phone call and the biopsy date, then an additional 2 weeks for results. That was a dreadfully long time.
Everything I did, everything I thought...it was there and it wouldn't go away.
It was during this time that I came to a very clear understanding of how stupid and crap-filled life can be. Commercials on TV trying to sell acceptance and power, the occasional superficial conversation I'd overhear at school, the mundane worry of test scores, complaining neighbors...all of it was just a waste of time.
It was all crap.
None of it was going to make a bit of difference if I were ill. None of it was going to make me better...none of it was going to help me through it. None of it was worth my time or energy.
What did matter were the people in my life and my faith. I gathered a little group of friends around me, wrapped myself up in my faith finding peace in prayer, clung to my husband's love, and waited out those very long and unsettling days.
I made some decisions during that time...decisions that could only be made with the understanding of what was important and what wasn't.
I decided I would never own anything I was afraid to lose. I like having a cool vehicle, and not having to walk everywhere is a wondrous thing, but in the end it's just a mode of transportation. I decided that I would tell the people that I love how I really felt about them. I decided that I would never own a house that impressed people, nor would I have anyone in my life that would be impressed by a fancy house. I would no longer worry about gaining weight, but focus on gaining health instead.
No matter what happened, I didn't want my life to be about stuff, about the superficial...about crap. I wanted it to be about making a positive difference in the lives of the people around me...not about what I did or what I accomplished.
In the end life isn't about the things we buy or the things we do. Life is about the bigger things...the intangibles like love and acceptance, joy and peace. Kids don't want more toys, they want more time. Friends don't want fancy gifts, they want to be accepted. Relationships aren't about fancy rings and expensive ceremonies, they are about finding someone who will give your heart a safe home no matter what life brings.
Looking back I grew a lot in that month of uncertainty. My faith in God became stronger, more comfortable. I learned the depth of my husband's love and devotion. And, thankfully, I became a better me.
As it turns out, I don't have cancer...I have pre-cancer, which is a fancy way of saying it could be cancer soon, they just don't know. So I will go in for my tests every few months or so, and I'll do my best to focus on what really matters in life.
And ignore the crap.
Not what I was expecting to hear while I was barreling down the freeway at top speed, but that's what I get for answering my cell phone while driving.
Once I finished my errands for the day, I headed home and contemplated this little bit of news.
Cancer. Hhhhmmmm......
Now there was only a 30% chance that I had cancer, so that meant there was a 70% chance I didn't have it. 30% doesn't sound like much, but when it concerns you then it is amazing how big that little number can be. Even so, I had decent odds.
The disease itself didn't scare me. If I had it I'd deal with it just I had dealt with everything else in life: head-on, but the not knowing was the worse part. 28 days between that phone call and the biopsy date, then an additional 2 weeks for results. That was a dreadfully long time.
Everything I did, everything I thought...it was there and it wouldn't go away.
It was during this time that I came to a very clear understanding of how stupid and crap-filled life can be. Commercials on TV trying to sell acceptance and power, the occasional superficial conversation I'd overhear at school, the mundane worry of test scores, complaining neighbors...all of it was just a waste of time.
It was all crap.
None of it was going to make a bit of difference if I were ill. None of it was going to make me better...none of it was going to help me through it. None of it was worth my time or energy.
What did matter were the people in my life and my faith. I gathered a little group of friends around me, wrapped myself up in my faith finding peace in prayer, clung to my husband's love, and waited out those very long and unsettling days.
I made some decisions during that time...decisions that could only be made with the understanding of what was important and what wasn't.
I decided I would never own anything I was afraid to lose. I like having a cool vehicle, and not having to walk everywhere is a wondrous thing, but in the end it's just a mode of transportation. I decided that I would tell the people that I love how I really felt about them. I decided that I would never own a house that impressed people, nor would I have anyone in my life that would be impressed by a fancy house. I would no longer worry about gaining weight, but focus on gaining health instead.
No matter what happened, I didn't want my life to be about stuff, about the superficial...about crap. I wanted it to be about making a positive difference in the lives of the people around me...not about what I did or what I accomplished.
In the end life isn't about the things we buy or the things we do. Life is about the bigger things...the intangibles like love and acceptance, joy and peace. Kids don't want more toys, they want more time. Friends don't want fancy gifts, they want to be accepted. Relationships aren't about fancy rings and expensive ceremonies, they are about finding someone who will give your heart a safe home no matter what life brings.
Looking back I grew a lot in that month of uncertainty. My faith in God became stronger, more comfortable. I learned the depth of my husband's love and devotion. And, thankfully, I became a better me.
As it turns out, I don't have cancer...I have pre-cancer, which is a fancy way of saying it could be cancer soon, they just don't know. So I will go in for my tests every few months or so, and I'll do my best to focus on what really matters in life.
And ignore the crap.
Monday, July 5, 2010
New and Improved....and Homogeneous?
I've never been a fan of make-over shows. In fact, the very idea of "making over" someone bothers me.
There are different types of these shows, like How Do I Look where "friends" send a loved one up the river and the poor victim is forced to watch her favorite outfits be tossed away. I tried to watch...but it was far too painful as the hostess with the mostest attitude belittles the unfashionable guest and makes fun of her clothing choices to the glee of fashion "experts" and friends.
Tasteless...really and truly tasteless.
There is another popular format where the victim is given rules and educated on how to dress for her body type. The guest is told what looks best for her and her lifestyle, then sent out to shop. What Not to Wear is just such a show.
While the last of these two format types is the least objectionable...they both enjoy the snarky and bitchy comments associated with those who "do" fashion, and the basic premise is this idea that we want people to blend in with the rest of society.
Is this a good thing?
Yes, certain occasions require specific clothing choices: suits for interviews, wet suits for diving, and hard-hats for construction areas...but isn't there room for being unique? Whatever happened to that little independence streak we had in high school? Where is that little rebel?
Perhaps that little rebel has been beaten into submission by all of the cutting remarks, and now just wants to blend in and avoid any negative attention. Pity.
I understand that dressing like a college frat boy or a wannabe porn-star might be detrimental to teaching First Grade. If either of these people request assistance in dressing in a way that is more appropriate for their prospective field of work, then that's cool. But it's not cool to approach them and suggest it.
Very not cool.
Our society has a pretty specific dress-code...but can we lay off those who want to stand out a little? I like the unique people...the artsy and independent thinkers who have found their own groove and don't fear being different. I adore and admire them.
As a former Vogue reader, I have always marveled at the idea of fashion...I love clothes and the million different ways to express who I am by how I dress. It's a game of fun and color...nothing serious.
Lighten up people. We're adults, but we're not dead.
If I have chosen to blend in, then be sure it's a conscious decision on my part to do so...a means to an end...but I will never, ever choose my clothing, hair style or anything else in order to please you.
You're just not that important.
There are different types of these shows, like How Do I Look where "friends" send a loved one up the river and the poor victim is forced to watch her favorite outfits be tossed away. I tried to watch...but it was far too painful as the hostess with the mostest attitude belittles the unfashionable guest and makes fun of her clothing choices to the glee of fashion "experts" and friends.
Tasteless...really and truly tasteless.
There is another popular format where the victim is given rules and educated on how to dress for her body type. The guest is told what looks best for her and her lifestyle, then sent out to shop. What Not to Wear is just such a show.
While the last of these two format types is the least objectionable...they both enjoy the snarky and bitchy comments associated with those who "do" fashion, and the basic premise is this idea that we want people to blend in with the rest of society.
Is this a good thing?
Yes, certain occasions require specific clothing choices: suits for interviews, wet suits for diving, and hard-hats for construction areas...but isn't there room for being unique? Whatever happened to that little independence streak we had in high school? Where is that little rebel?
Perhaps that little rebel has been beaten into submission by all of the cutting remarks, and now just wants to blend in and avoid any negative attention. Pity.
I understand that dressing like a college frat boy or a wannabe porn-star might be detrimental to teaching First Grade. If either of these people request assistance in dressing in a way that is more appropriate for their prospective field of work, then that's cool. But it's not cool to approach them and suggest it.
Very not cool.
Our society has a pretty specific dress-code...but can we lay off those who want to stand out a little? I like the unique people...the artsy and independent thinkers who have found their own groove and don't fear being different. I adore and admire them.
As a former Vogue reader, I have always marveled at the idea of fashion...I love clothes and the million different ways to express who I am by how I dress. It's a game of fun and color...nothing serious.
Lighten up people. We're adults, but we're not dead.
If I have chosen to blend in, then be sure it's a conscious decision on my part to do so...a means to an end...but I will never, ever choose my clothing, hair style or anything else in order to please you.
You're just not that important.
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Be Nice or Be Gone*
They have the innate ability to suck the joy out of any occasion and can turn a happy celebration into a wake in under 3 minutes flat. They can even make perpetually positive people, such as myself, contemplate the sweet release of ritual suicide in order to escape them.
They are the Concrete Shoe people.
I call them this because they drag you down as if you were wearing weighted footwear into a hypothetical swimming pool...pulling you down, down, down into the darkness that is their world.
Their words are toxic, their attitude is acidic, and they are easy to spot with their sour faces and critical glare. Right now you are probably picturing one in your mind aren't you? You know exactly the person I'm talking about.
I'm not referring to those people who excel at sarcasm and come armed with a sharp whit. On the contrary, I love them. Irony? Huge fan! Dry humor? Yes, please.
No, the Concretes are devoid of humor and lack the ability to enjoy the levity in life.
There isn't a situation they cannot twist. Won the Pulitzer? They'll find a grammatical error! Won the lottery? They'll quote statistics to show you how unhappy you will eventually become. Happily married? Never fear! They'll relate every horrible divorce story they can think of. Had a bad day? Oh their day was FAR worse than yours (what were you thinking?).
Nothing is safe from the Concretes.
Nothing.
The Concretes are not any fun to have around and I try to avoid them at all cost, but they do manage to find me from time to time. It is always a painful experience.
Now, I have been blessed with a seemingly endless supply of empathy for most people and normally I can find a modicum of compassion for anyone. However, the Concretes thwart my every effort. No matter how hard I look to find something to like about them...I come back empty handed.
It's a major struggle, believe me.
Lord knows I give it my all and do work hard on remaining civil during those horror filled moments...but it takes every ounce of willpower to not grab them by the collar, pull them close so that we are standing nose-to-nose and hiss between clenched teeth, "For the sake of all that is good and holy SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP!"
I get that we all have bad days. I am a full believer in venting, throwing fits, or letting off steam...but a full-on Lewis Black routine every waking hour is just too much.
I'm sorry you've had a bad day/week/month/life...really I am (seriously, not an ounce of sarcasm there...honest!). But if life really sucks that badly, then do something about it. It's your life and only you can choose to change it.
If you are so miserable that you have to bring everyone around you down to your level, then you need therapy and possibly an enema. You obviously have a case of the grumpies that cannot be cured by ice-cream and hugs...you need serious help my friend.
But my faith says I'm to love my fellow humans, right? Absolutely! I love even the grumpy people...but I don't have to like them. I certainly don't have to hang out with them and be bombarded by their non-stop toxic verbage. I can love them from a distance...and I will.
If you ask for prayer, need to talk about what is bothering you, or are just feeling lonely and need a friend...I'm all over that. Not a problem...glad to help. But if you want to just whine and complain, or criticize, then move along...there is nothing to see here.
*Title taken from a sign once on display at my favorite Cocoa deli.
They are the Concrete Shoe people.
I call them this because they drag you down as if you were wearing weighted footwear into a hypothetical swimming pool...pulling you down, down, down into the darkness that is their world.
Their words are toxic, their attitude is acidic, and they are easy to spot with their sour faces and critical glare. Right now you are probably picturing one in your mind aren't you? You know exactly the person I'm talking about.
I'm not referring to those people who excel at sarcasm and come armed with a sharp whit. On the contrary, I love them. Irony? Huge fan! Dry humor? Yes, please.
No, the Concretes are devoid of humor and lack the ability to enjoy the levity in life.
There isn't a situation they cannot twist. Won the Pulitzer? They'll find a grammatical error! Won the lottery? They'll quote statistics to show you how unhappy you will eventually become. Happily married? Never fear! They'll relate every horrible divorce story they can think of. Had a bad day? Oh their day was FAR worse than yours (what were you thinking?).
Nothing is safe from the Concretes.
Nothing.
The Concretes are not any fun to have around and I try to avoid them at all cost, but they do manage to find me from time to time. It is always a painful experience.
Now, I have been blessed with a seemingly endless supply of empathy for most people and normally I can find a modicum of compassion for anyone. However, the Concretes thwart my every effort. No matter how hard I look to find something to like about them...I come back empty handed.
It's a major struggle, believe me.
Lord knows I give it my all and do work hard on remaining civil during those horror filled moments...but it takes every ounce of willpower to not grab them by the collar, pull them close so that we are standing nose-to-nose and hiss between clenched teeth, "For the sake of all that is good and holy SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP!"
I get that we all have bad days. I am a full believer in venting, throwing fits, or letting off steam...but a full-on Lewis Black routine every waking hour is just too much.
I'm sorry you've had a bad day/week/month/life...really I am (seriously, not an ounce of sarcasm there...honest!). But if life really sucks that badly, then do something about it. It's your life and only you can choose to change it.
If you are so miserable that you have to bring everyone around you down to your level, then you need therapy and possibly an enema. You obviously have a case of the grumpies that cannot be cured by ice-cream and hugs...you need serious help my friend.
But my faith says I'm to love my fellow humans, right? Absolutely! I love even the grumpy people...but I don't have to like them. I certainly don't have to hang out with them and be bombarded by their non-stop toxic verbage. I can love them from a distance...and I will.
If you ask for prayer, need to talk about what is bothering you, or are just feeling lonely and need a friend...I'm all over that. Not a problem...glad to help. But if you want to just whine and complain, or criticize, then move along...there is nothing to see here.
*Title taken from a sign once on display at my favorite Cocoa deli.
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