Anger - Days 26 and 27

Today I am going to discuss anger.  It is due to anger that I did not post yesterday.  Why, you ask?  Well, in trying to make sure that my blog is informative and not a rant session, I decided that yesterday since I could not write anything but rants I would just not write, but paint instead.  It seemed to take me forever to get motivated to even get off the couch, but I finally did and here is what came of that painting explosion.

What made me angry was irrelevant.  The fact that I let it consume me for a chunk of my day and stopped me from accomplishing things that I wanted is what I want to discuss. 

Anger:  a strong feeling of displeasure and belligerence aroused by a real or supposed wrong; wrath.

Anger tends to be a driving force for a lot of negativity in the world.  One big problem is that if you are angry and there is no one around, no one knows that your angry but you, no one is effected by that anger, and nothing is accomplished because of it.  All it does is eat into your time, your ability to do things, and your soul.  As I sat there yesterday being angry at something I could not control, I thought about all that it was controlling in me.  For the most part I try to be a positive person yet the negativity from this anger was consuming me, and I did not like it.  I finally got out of my negative funk and was able to be somewhat productive and enjoy a big part of my day but every time I thought about that situation that happened, I got angry all over again.  I tried to pay attention to how it felt, what I did, and what it did to me so I could write this today as an insight into that experience.

What I know about myself is that when I get like this, best thing I can do is walk away and forget the situation as best as possible.  Little bits and pieces still stay but finding something positive, even if it looks negative like the painting above, really does help.  Watching the clouds float by, watching a butterfly land on a flower looking for nectar, watching a dog run and play with a ball, all positive things and some I have used in the past to distract myself from the negative and put a positive spin on things.  

There is always something to be sad about in this world.  Just turn on the news or pickup a paper and you will find lots and lots of negative.  However, finding something to be happy about can turn it all around in an instant.  A simple smile shared can bring joy to two at once.  Stop and smell the roses, a simple thought but one with such wisdom.  Take time to enjoy the little things in life because, just as a single drop of water makes just a little spot, put lots of drops together and you get a puddle, more and you get a creek, even more and you get a river and so on.  The more positive moments you add or can find, the less the negative will be able to consume of your life and the more positive you will become.  

GOAL:  Make sure to let go of those things that spark the negative thoughts or feelings, the anger, the rage, as quick as possible to not allow it to consume and infect all the other moments in my life so I can fill it with more positive thoughts and experiences to be a better and happier person.

Early to rise - Day 5 - Not so early this time

Think I spoke too soon yesterday morning.  I realized this as I woke up about 30 minutes later this morning than planned.  No, I didn't set the dreaded alarm clock.  As I have mentioned before, I find those things just annoying and intrusive.  I was out late last night and honestly went to bed late so ended up sleeping in a bit longer than planned.  Oh well.  Life happens.

That is one thing that I think I will write about today.  Life happens.  I used to think that it was Sh*t Happens but found that to be a negative way of looking at it.  In the past year or two I have been trying to focus my thoughts on all positive things, knowing negative was out there but deciding for me I would just focus on the positive side regardless.  Here are some examples of how I do this.

If the clouds are darkening and rain is forming overhead, instead of thinking about it as "my day is ruined", "my plans have to change because it's going to rain", I look at the clouds and see that even tho they are dark, where the sun shines behind them they are white, almost having the proverbial silver lining, choosing to see the glow and know that the rain will cool off the temperature, will brighten the green in the grasses and plants, and will smell refreshing.

I think that in doing this, I am telling myself and the universe that regardless of how things are happening, I am going to just deal with it and focus on the lighter side, the positive side.  It really does make it easier to move through some of the not so pleasant things that happen.  Focusing on the positive works with people too.  Even tho someone really gets on your nerves, you can us this technique when having to deal with them.  I will say sometimes it is harder than other times but giving it a try can't hurt.  I am not perfect and there are times I forget to try but more often than not, I do.

Sharing the positive also helps others feel the effects as well.  For example, going to a store, standing in line, watching people put their items on a conveyor belt waiting to be checked out so they can get out and go on their own path can be tedious.  Next time, try striking up a conversation with the person in front or behind you.  It can make the time you are standing there a little less boring, painful, and annoying.  Cracking a joke will lighten the mood and make it seem less like just standing there and more like meeting a new person and enjoying the moment.  Also, catch the name of the cashier or teller and instead of ignoring them and rushing through the transaction, say hi to them by name.  You will be surprised just how much that little gesture can make their day a little brighter.  You will see them smile a bit at being acknowledged for who they are, not just the job they are doing.

It only takes a second to brighten your day and others.  Smiles are free yet they are priceless when you share them.