Perspective

"The trick is in what one emphasizes. We either make ourselves miserable, or we make ourselves happy. The amount of work is the same." -Carlos Castaneda

Sometimes in my day to day life I naturally run into moments that aggravate, upset, frustrate, or just plain depress me. I get it. It's only natural. But now I'm trying this new thing when those moments hit...stop, take a step back, and put things into perspective. It's a seriously difficult but very rewarding exercise, and I think it just might be making me a better (or at least more pleasant) person. It's really crazy how much your outlook can change by simply seeing things in a different light. Like just take today for example-

• Being frustrated: I went to bed too late for my own good last night and when the alarm went off this morning I really felt like throwing it across the room. Positive spin: I have good friends and fun times to keep me occupied until the wee hours of the morning and a steady job to wake up to.


• A little bit depressed: After the best instant messenger conversation of my life yesterday, I was reminded how much I miss my favorite people in the world-even just the sound of their voices. Then this morning I found a letter waiting for me at work (thanks Heather!) and read numerous wall posts/blog comments from said wonderful people. I am one lucky girl to have so many amazing people in my life who care for me to that extent, and no amount of physical distance will ever change that.
• Another depressing thought: I will never again have a spring break in my life. I've been seeing all these pictures on facebook about the fun fabulous times everyone has had on their week long hiatus from the real world. But just as I'm getting really depressed, a thought occurs to me- If I had a spring break, that would mean I would still be in school. Still be taking classes. Still have piles of reading that I never seem to get to until the night before the test. Still be pretending to study. Still be stressing over my procrastinating ways. Nope. I think I'm good, sans Spring Break and all.


• Aggravated: Right after diligently and meticulously cleaning the glass of the cake and pie display at work before closing, three little girls and their mom came in smudging fingerprints all over it to the point where I would have to repeat the job. Sigh. But then one of the little girls caught my eye, smiled, and my heart melted. What's a few fingerprints compared to a wide eyed kid let loose in a cake shop?


• Mentally exhausted: After a long day of serving numerous people in need of a sugar fix while maintaining a sugary demeanor myself, I find it hard to keep up the smiles and bubbly attitude for those stragglers who come in while I'm trying to close. However I always try to be friendly no matter how tired/annoyed/ready to go home I am. Today in such a situation, I was reminded of how much customers really appreciate this...the last lady in the shop said I was the friendliest person she had been waited on by in a long time. Little compliments like that make it all worth it.

Okay. Enough of my 'look at the world through rose colored glasses' sappy sermon. It was just something I was thinking about today, so I thought I'd share it with y'all. I know I'm by no means perfect, but when I manage to flip my bad attitude around, I always feel like I've gained a small victory...and I think that makes life sweeter, even if just by a bit :)