I stopped at the ATM on the way into work this morning to deposit some desperately-needed checks. Overwhelmed as I was by the world yesterday, I had passed out ridiculously early and gotten a decadent night’s sleep. (Not Woodthrush Woods decadent, but nice enough.) So when a tall woman entered through the glass door and said, “How are you this morning?” It occurred to me to answer properly.
I’ve been trying harder to be more selfish about some things and more selfless about others — this greeting is one of them. In Tennessee there’s sort of a protocol. This question, once posed, elicits one of two answers: “Fine” or “Fine, how ’bout yourself?” The first is selfish. The second is proper and respectful. I gave the second.
“You know, I was talking to the man at the gas station this morning…”
Oh right. That’s why I’m usually selfish in the morning. Because I’m a story magnet, and I usually can’t process this much information before 8:00 am. But since today already felt like a better day than yesterday, I indulged her while I licked my envelope and punched in my code.
“…and I asked him the same question. He said, ‘Every day I wake up in the morning and I say to myself, “I CHOOSE to have a good day this morning.” Because I have the power to make that choice.’ So, I believe I choose to have a good day today.”
“I like that,” I told her honestly. “I believe I choose to have a good day as well.” And suddenly, I did. The rest of the crazy world could go to hell and wait on me to catch up.
What kind of day do you choose to have today?
I CHOOSE to have a good day this morning
Welcome to the secret of your life. YOU are the source of everything. No one else has power over how you feel, unless you give them that power. No one else can make you happy or sad or brave of fearful, only you.
The tricky part of this is you don’t get to be offended or annoyed with people as much, because YOU are allowing them to offend or annoy you. Etc.
Mama Mitchell always said, “Don’t let strangers upset you.” That one, I get.
Trouble is, it’s not usually strangers who climb under my skin and pitch tents.
I CHOOSE to have a good day this morning
Welcome to the secret of your life. YOU are the source of everything. No one else has power over how you feel, unless you give them that power. No one else can make you happy or sad or brave of fearful, only you.
The tricky part of this is you don’t get to be offended or annoyed with people as much, because YOU are allowing them to offend or annoy you. Etc.
Mama Mitchell always said, “Don’t let strangers upset you.” That one, I get.
Trouble is, it’s not usually strangers who climb under my skin and pitch tents.
You better be careful, kiddo. Collect enough of these and you end up with an inspirational book on that table near the Starbux counter in B&N. 🙂
Also, I am intrigued by the chicken icon. Do tell?
There IS a book of essays. Came out June 27th. It’s called Beauty & Dynamite — where have you been?? Now I just have to get picked up by Starbucks.
This is a picture of Mustard, the Chicken. She is also an angel. Guess where that story is? (Buy the book!)
PS – I miss you. :::hugs:::
Well of COURSE I’m buying that book, silly. It will go beside my copy of _Elemental_, natch. I just meant that you’re heading into Robert Fulghum territory there (not such a bad thing, really). 🙂
I miss you, too! I’ll get to see you TWICE this summer, though, and that ain’t half bad.
::twiddles thumbs::
:: check calendar::
::twiddles thumbs::
Hi, Alethea. I wanted to let you know that I greatly enjoyed the story you wrote for the anthology. I am flattered and I’m even a little bit blushy about how you portrayed me in the story. Thank you very much!
It was an honor, my dear — beautiful women should always be immortalized.
I’m so glad you liked the story!!
You better be careful, kiddo. Collect enough of these and you end up with an inspirational book on that table near the Starbux counter in B&N. 🙂
Also, I am intrigued by the chicken icon. Do tell?
There IS a book of essays. Came out June 27th. It’s called Beauty & Dynamite — where have you been?? Now I just have to get picked up by Starbucks.
This is a picture of Mustard, the Chicken. She is also an angel. Guess where that story is? (Buy the book!)
PS – I miss you. :::hugs:::
Well of COURSE I’m buying that book, silly. It will go beside my copy of _Elemental_, natch. I just meant that you’re heading into Robert Fulghum territory there (not such a bad thing, really). 🙂
I miss you, too! I’ll get to see you TWICE this summer, though, and that ain’t half bad.
::twiddles thumbs::
:: check calendar::
::twiddles thumbs::
Hi, Alethea. I wanted to let you know that I greatly enjoyed the story you wrote for the anthology. I am flattered and I’m even a little bit blushy about how you portrayed me in the story. Thank you very much!
It was an honor, my dear — beautiful women should always be immortalized.
I’m so glad you liked the story!!