I won’t ask if you’ve ever had “one of those days.” You’re in publishing. Of course you have. Probably on a far too regular basis. I totally understand. In fact, my most recent “one of those days” is today. You know what it’s like. You have your little “To Do” list all laid out, and you’re up early, equipped with coffee and ready to dive in, when it happens.
Life.
And suddenly your plans are out the window and you’re left at the end of the day staring at your now-doubled “To Do” list, wanting nothing more than a stiff drink (of coffee…yeah…that’s it) and a time machine to start the day over. Well, I can’t help with the time machine, but I do want to explore some possible ways to get through “those” days.
The first option is to deny that it’s happening.
But then, denial seldom works.
So you could resist the frustrations coming your way, fighting against them, struggling to stick to your planned list for the day.
https://youtu.be/qz3yTTwka2c
I haven’t found that to be very effective.
Another option is to be patient and longsuffering, for as long as you can.
As you can see, doing that too often leads to a blow-up when you just can’t take it any longer. So I generally opt for the final option: just relax and take the day as it comes.
https://youtu.be/tMPvMT-E-dA
React with grace and, well, peace. And remember, tomorrow’s another day. As is the day after that. Things will get done. Eventually. And you will be far happier if you just relax.
Peace, all.
Wanted: Authors (Apply Within)
Sounds like your life is going to the dogs right now. Let no one hound you right now. Releash your tension and pick a bone with someone. Seriously, I cannot explain the ebbs and flows of life, traffic, work … I can only say the tide will turn. Hope it does so soon.
Thanks, Karen. I needed this today.
You made me think of the expression, Let Go and Let God.
Love the picture and videos!
Had a day like that yesterday. Felt well enough to do a bit of sheet-metal work, and decided to fab the #9 bulkhead of an RV-3. (The RV-3 is a small, single-engine airplane, and that bulkhead, which is an oval piece of 1/32 in aluminum about 20 x 10 inches with a 5/8 in flange on one side, is an ‘interior wall’ close to the tail.)
The bulkhead has some slot that have to be cut in at the edges, to allow passage of other parts…and I cut two of the slots in the wrong place.
Pause for Tourette Mode. I don’t have much energy left these days, and this was disappointing.
Then I looked at the thing, and realized that there was a simple fix. All I had to do was fabricate a doubler plate which transferred loads around the misplaced slots. About a half-hour’s work.
The part’s no longer perfect, but it’s usable, and that is what matters. When we define a bad spell, or a bad day, we’re using a yardstick of perfection that’s within us. Pretty soon we’ll use it on others, and then we’ll start using it on God Himself…for does not perfection begin at home, and is not our ‘home altar’ now within our own small and mean souls?
The Balinese have it right. When they do any work, be it artistic or practical (and those are not mutually exclusive), they introduce a deliberate error, to remind themselves, and those who would come later, of the imperfection inherent in the human condition.
Thanks for the reminder that things will get done, Karen Ball. One thing is certain – things change. Relax, yes.
Bad days happen, but I have a motto that has served me well at work for years.
“If there’s that much manure, there’s got to be a pony somewhere.”
Sometimes God brings the best things out of a day with a shovel.
Bless you for sharing this with us, Karen. 🙂
As my oldest (and very wise) sister has always reminded me, “This too shall pass.”
Have a delightful (as much as possible!) day.
I always loved “this, too, shall pass”, but one day…completely unwittingly…I said it to my wife while she was experiencing a digestive complaint.
Hell hath no fury like a woman enthroned against her will, and shampoo bottles are very, very hard when thrown full force.
Hehe. Yep, those plastic bottles can be unexpectedly lethal 😉
I shouldn’t have laughed, Andrew, but I did. Good tip about shampoo bottles. 😉
As a boy I discovered that a bicycle pump can be harder and more effective than a shampoo bottle – really got me thinking – gave me new respect for my mom.
I’m living one of “those days.” When it involves kids in a “mood,” it takes me time to snap out of my own resulting mood. But that’s what needs to happen, and with God’s help, it will. I needed your reminder that sometimes the best way to get through “one of those days” is to relax. So, that’s my plan.
And by the way, Toby’s owner is one patient man!!! 🙂
Here’s an idea – make an inadvertent million by printing stickie pad “To Do” lists with something like this:
“To Do … eventually…”
“To Do … unless something else comes up”
To Do … unless I don’t”
That’ll make lemonade from your lemon-day.
I first read your blog on my e-mail missing all the pictures. Now I see the cute images. They sure brightened my day. I was in a place much like you, but read this morning in Romans 15, “For everything written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope” (NIV). I was trying to find my hope in the wrong things. So thankful for God’s word that meets me at such a personal level.
My niece grooms dogs for a living. She’ll love your link.
Lol! How do animals make such expressive faces?
Good reminder. Goes along with my personal motto. Relentlessly eliminate hurry.
busy is so over rated
Like others here, today is one of those days for me. School ends tomorrow, I’m room mom, my husband and oldest son forgot lunch today and blah blah blah. I’m thankful I’m a sanguine because today, I’m just rolling with it all. Bring it on life!
Love your attitude, Jenelle! I had one of those days right before my goys got out of school. I made three trips to school before 10:00. Yeah, it put a dent in my plans. But that was a good day to just go with it. 🙂 Just like you’re doing.
Thanks, Jeanne, for the hope that days like today can be “good days” despite the dents. It’s the end of the evening now and I as I look back, I can honestly say that today rocked! So many things fell apart, but I called upon Jesus, my rock, and was able to be a light to those around me. Heck, I even laughed when a semi disaster was about to rear its ugly head because it was to the point of what else could I do? Some mom’s complimented my reaction and were curious as to why and how I can be so positive and hopeful to which I get to give God the glory. So cool!
My grandbaby didn’t sleep well last night. So when the alarm went off this morning I felt like Toby. I am so thankful I don’t have a collar and leash. My daughter would be dragging me from my bed.
But good news happened on my porch. The postal truck left my freshly ordered books. Happy day Happy day I hve 8 new books. oops I lost my to-do-list and my will power along with. All I need is a coffee pot for my bedroom and I won’t need to go downstairs.
Good days or bad you take life as it comes.