So Many Reasons

I’ll be the first to admit that I am a cynical person. But lately it’s as though my sardonic outlook lingers long after the initial reaction occurred, and that just makes for a miserable day. Not only does it cause me to be depressed for longer than necessarily (though depression is rarely necessary), but it also puts a hamper on all the great things going on around me, particularly with regards to my kids, and all the amazing ways they brings sunshine into my life.

For that reason, I have been trying to open my mind and look beyond what I see and try to be more positive about the upsetting things that occur. For instance, being stuck behind a slow vehicle while I’m trying to get my daughter to school on time. Instead of just getting angry at the driver, I rack my brain for all the possible reasons the driver might be going so slow: they are lost, their vehicle is having maintenance problems, they are having a horrible day and are not totally aware of everything going on around them, they are dealing with rowdy kids in the backseat and don’t realize they are slowing down as they try to dole out discipline, etc. The minute I start seeing other reasons behind an aggravating situation (instead of thinking they are purposefully slowing down just to upset me), I immediately feel less hampered by negativity and quickly abandon my upset.

Though I seem to be naturally cynical, I am not particularly fond of that part of myself. So any little trick that I can use to diminish those undesirable traits of mine are quite valuable.

Now let’s just see if I can continue having a more “glass half full” outlook. ツ