Hi, readers!
I am delighted to introduce you to a very talented Christian author, named Jayne Jaudon Ferrer. Some time ago, I read a wonderfully insightful, practical article she had posted on her creative blog (The Comma Goddess Speaks: Musings on Life's Joys & Vexations). Jayne has graciously allowed me to republish her article, "10 Ways to Make a Bad Day Better," here for your reading pleasure.
But, first, I'd like to share a little background information on Jayne that will give you a better appreciation for her unique perspective on life . . .
Jayne says she's always been a "half-full" kind of person, as opposed to "half-empty." No matter how bleak things look when she goes to bed, she wakes up optimistic every morning--though she doesn't always stay that way! She was blessed to be born into a wonderful, loving Christian family and, the older she gets, the more she's convinced that line from the play, "Chicago," is right: the troubled people in this world tend to be those who "didn't get enough love in their childhood." Although her father died when she was only seven, his presence in her life, and the foundation he laid for her, kept her from feeling that loss for a long time. Jayne says her life has been full of wonderful people and opportunities, but she has known sadness, too: her mother had Alzheimer's for ten very long years.
When Jayne speaks to women's groups, she tries to emphasize that no matter what baggage women may carry or how limited they believe their talents to be, each of them has the ability to make a difference in this world--whether it's raising up a child in the way he should go, nurturing a row of cabbages or roses, or simply being a friendly face for a beleaguered check-out clerk.
I'm confident that you're going to be richly blessed by Jayne's article. Enjoy!
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10 Ways to
Make a Bad Day Better
My days have
been pretty good here lately, but we all know those crummy ones roll around
sooner or later. Don’t give in to them! The older I get, the more I realize we
are very much the determiners of our own destiny—on a day-by-day basis, at
least. We can choose how to react to less-than-perfect days, whether
their badness comes in the form of weather, events, encounters, or the lack
thereof, and by choosing NOT to let our happiness be derailed by some external
force, we can salvage that day for good.
If your happy
mood is about to be hit broadside, try one of these tips. Let me know how it
goes!
1. Take a 10-minute walk outdoors by
yourself. Okay, so this might not be an option if it’s raining like crazy or
there’s a blizzard in town but, otherwise, this is a terrific way to “push your
reset button,” as my friend Pat used to say. Pay attention to detail: a
butterfly flitting from flower to flower, an old guy walking his dog, a
shopkeeper fixing a window display. The point is to realize what’s happening in
your life is a tiny little speck in the great scheme of things. Whatever’s out
of sync will pass.
2. Indulge in a treat that’s good and good
for you. Chocolate milkshake, probably not so much, but a
straight-from-paradise Honey Crisp apple or a banana and peanut butter
sandwich? Maybe all that’s wrong is low blood sugar or the need for a caffeine
fix. You’d be surprised how grumpy that can make you!
3. Look for a
gift. Not one topped with a bow, but one you’ve overlooked. Parking place at
the front of the lane? Happy little bird singing outside your window? Your
favorite song on the radio? I call those little presents from God. He knows
when you’re in a rotten mood and he may not be able to orchestrate a lottery
win or heal your plantar fasciitis, but pay attention and you’ll be amazed at
how many times He tries to say, “Here, will this help?”
4. Focus on the least worst thing you’re
dealing with. Yes, I’m fully aware I have an inner Pollyanna that annoys people
to no end but, really, does it do any good to wallow in your misery? (Okay,
sometimes a short pity party does help.) Skip past the empty bank account, the
fight you had with your teenager, the fact that your mom is getting more and
more forgetful, and dwell on the nail you just broke. Will you die
from that? No. Will you lose your job over that? No. Will said nail grow back?
Yes. See? That's one thing that's not nearly as awful as it could be.
5. Put things in
perspective. I know, from where you sit at the moment, life looks pretty sorry.
But switch views. Pretend you’re your 13-year-old son, or your 80-year-old
neighbor, or the homeless guy on the corner, or Princess Kate. You might decide
you like your life a lot more than you thought.
6. Don’t be a
Don’t-Bee; you be a Doo-Bee! Anybody remember the TV show, “Romper Room?” We’re
never too old to take good advice: don’t be a Negative Nelly when you can be a
Positive Pammy! Sometimes changing your mood is as easy as making up your mind
to adjust your attitude.
7. Turn on your radio. Or your MP3, cell
phone, CD player, or whatever is the handiest source of music.
(Maybe one of your coworkers will do an Elvis impression for you.)
Music has an uncanny ability to immediately transport us to a different place
and time, especially if it’s a song with fond memories attached. Music is the
quickest path I know from crabby to happy (along with #9!).
8. Find
something to make you laugh. Go to YouTube and search for laughing babies or
goofy animals. Revisit your email joke folder. (You have one of those, right?)
Take a break to go read funny greeting cards. Pull up a comedy on Netflix. Not
only will you feel better, you’ll add a few years to your life.
9. Find
something four-legged and furry. Okay, maybe if you’re a fan of reptiles, a
snake can make you smile, but my money’s on mammals. I dare you to stay
downtrodden while there’s a kitten in your lap, a dog grinning in your face, a
meerkat peering up at you, or a horse nuzzling your neck. Animals = smiles.
10. Do something
for someone who’s not expecting it. Sometimes, reminding yourself that it’s not
all about you can get you past those rough spots. Focusing on someone
else will get your mind off your worries and doing something for
someone else, well, that makes you feel good all over. How about putting
quarters in a bunch of parking meters downtown, or buying a burger for the lady
behind you in the drive-thru? I guarantee that if you surprise the tellers at
your bank with a bag of donuts they will treat you like a hero, and if
you take a couple of board games or a basketball to your local women’s shelter,
you may turn your bad day into the best one ever.
(Republished with special permission from Jayne Jaudon Ferrer. This article originally appeared on her blog, The Comma Goddess Speaks: Musings on Life's Joys & Vexations, on Thursday, February, 21, 2013.)
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Jayne Jaudon Ferrer is the author of five books and the founder and editor of www.YourDailyPoem.com. Mother of three sons, she lives with her husband in Greenville, SC. Learn more about her at www.JayneJaudonFerrer.com.
