It is the mark of a great man that he puts to flight all ordinary calculations. He is at once sublime and touching, childlike and of the race of giants. Honore de Balzac
This morning I woke up grumpy. I felt tired, like I needed a break. Just as I was prepared and content to wallow in that moment, I remember today is a special day for my husband. Today, at work, he is to make a presentation that he is very excited about. Additionally, he researched and worked very hard to prepare for it. I thought, “Don’t you dare ruin his moment!” So, I put on my smile (you know, the one you see in my comments to you -:)) determined to celebrate this day with him. I make him breakfast, give him a kiss, and wish him the best! No sooner does he leave, and here come the “grumpies” again. Flirting with this feeling, which at the moment has me in its clutches, and teetering on whether or not I should actually let it have this dance, my cat begins meowing LOUDLY drowning out the whole sorrowful melody. “What now?” I think. Her paw is stuck on the carpet. So, I gently unstick it. She looks at me with her “grateful” entitlement attitude and runs off. Moments later, the toilet decides to act up… I decide to go to Starbucks.
The drive is nice. My favorite CD plays as I drive and re-think the morning’s events. I have a choice. I can be “grumpy” for the rest of the day or look for that silver lining I know is tucked away somewhere. I actually begin to feel a little better. I continue to Starbucks, pull into the drive thru, and as I’m waiting, catch a glimpse of the woman behind me in my rearview mirror. She’s shaking her head slightly, clearly irritated that she has to wait. I wonder what’s happenng in her morning? It is then however, that I feel “the tug.” You know- the one that wraps its sticky little fingers around your heart and niggles at you until you give in and hear what it is saying? I finally give in just enough to hear it say, “Hey, you have the power to do something nice.” I contemplate and smile- a real one this time. I get up to the drive thru window pay for my drink -and the lady behind me’s drink. Then I quickly drive off. I actually feel giggly and silly, and it’s great.
What is it about helping someone else that makes us smile? I think it’s because we are helping ourselves also, it take the focus off of us for a while. One of the happiest memories I have is when I would pick flowers in the backyard for my mom. My heart would swell with pride and happiness, just to see her smile. Sometimes, it’s in my best interest to shake off the adult with all its reasoning and what ifs and let the child come forward with its spur-of-the-moment and spontaneous love.
I made my choice. No longer wrapped up in my cocoon of self-pity, and with the “grumpies” now far away, peace and joy now settle in its place. Do something for someone today, even if it’s just a smile, it lifts our heart and theirs. Enjoy!!
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