As much as we try to go through life with a positive mental attitude, there are days when it’s just hard to find much in the way of humor. Today has been one of those days. Several times I’ve been tempted to close my eyes, tap my heels together, and repeat “I love my job … I love my job …”
It wasn’t any significant event that put me in such a good mood. In fact, it was something very insignificant. One of those things you’d normally shrug off, like a verbal reminder from your wife to take out the trash. Oops, did I say that out loud?
It probably doesn’t help that the ground is covered in fresh snow, and I love snow about as much as I love broccoli. In fact, probably less. Broccoli actually has some nutritional value, which is good considering nobody eats it for its wonderful flavor. Besides, I can usually make broccoli disappear in a matter of minutes (even faster if I’m sitting next to the trash can).
And as I write this, I’m sure several of you are thinking, “I feel your pain, brother.” When we get out of bed in the morning, we face the very real possibility that things won’t go the way we’d planned. Snow will fall, people may be rude, we may have a really bad day at work, and we may come home to the smell of freshly-steamed broccoli. You just never know.
The key is to find something, anything, to take your mind off whatever is getting in the way of an otherwise wonderful day. Okay, maybe that was a stretch. But you get the idea. It’s hard to dwell on something unpleasant if you’re thinking about something else.
And I’ll admit, I’ve spent a good part of the day trying to think of something else. I’ve worked harder today than I have all year (okay, the year is still pretty new), and I’ve finished up a few lingering projects in the process. At the very least, I’ll go home with a feeling of accomplishment. As long as I don’t go home to broccoli.
And there’s nothing wrong with working through stress. Sometimes that’s the best approach. It occupies your mind, and when the work is finished and you think back to whatever was bothering you, it’s just not that important any more. Sometimes you can actually chuckle to yourself, wondering why you were so upset in the first place. Sometimes.
I’m feeling a lot better than I was an hour ago. Partly because I’ve taken the time to write about my day, but mostly because I was able to make time for a chat with a friend, and in that conversation we both found a few reasons to laugh. It’s amazing how quickly a little chuckle can change your day.
And as I laughed, I consciously thought about how, in that very instant, the “problem” that had been bothering me all day just vanished. I was actually somewhat surprised. Why? I write about laughter every day. This should have been nothing new to me. But I’m glad it was. Sometimes we all need to be amazed just a little.
All things considered, today hasn’t been one of my best. But some days are like that. Sometimes we need days like this to help us fully appreciate the other ones. And truly, I’m having a hard time remembering why I was so upset in the first place. But it doesn’t matter. It’s time to go out in the snow, climb in my truck, slide home, and eat dinner. What are the odds I’ll sit down to a plate full of broccoli?
Copyright 2011 – Dave Glardon
Health and Humor 
In case anybody was wondering … no broccoli. Woohoo!!!