Picks, Rocks, and Dirty Dishes

Do you ever reflect on trials you have overcome in your life and find yourself proud, almost nostalgic in a masochistic sense, when considering what you did and what you learned from that experience? You find that you responded with strength you didn't know you had that had been hiding out somewhere in your bones. You realize that you handled the turbulence with grace and optimism and somehow ended up a better person instead of the damaged one you expected you would be. Anyone? I know I have been there and have found that I can actually be really resilient and positive in the midst of my personal lion's den (though of course this did not mean I was happy every day and that I mustered this courage without major help from the Lord and from loved ones).

On the other hand, I frequently find myself getting annoyed profoundly when I find a pick in my sweater. I experience somewhat of a nervous breakdown when I have a pile of dirty pans (the not-so-dishwasher safe ones, mind you!). Tonight I stumbled for the 20850345375983240th time on a rock while trail running that I grabbed the nearest stick, screamed [EXPLICIT TERM FOR BOWEL MOVEMENT] and slammed the stick on the ground in front of me. The Earth quaked and the clouds erupted, releasing millions of gallons of Mother Nature's angry tears at the tremendous pain I had caused her. Believe it or not, that didn't actually happen. As a matter of fact, my toddler caliber tantrum did little but make me look like a true blue [donkey] in front of my husband and God and every insect and raccoon in those woods. 

Does anyone else find themselves able to face life's greatest problems with courage and hope while becoming a sopping mess over the tiniest, stupidest little thing? Well, my friend, you are far from alone! I know I do (hence the previous paragraph). Those trigger hair bursts of anger over slow traffic or dropping keys are a great litmus test of deeper frustration, at least for me they are. Those little stressors accumulate like little blobs of toothpaste spit spray on your faucet, barely noticeable at first, becoming a minty crust that mucks up your previously shiny sink. Keep an eye on how those tiny things affect you! If cuss words and tantrums slip out with the ease and frequency of post-Taco Bell farts, there may be something to that. How about complaints, criticism, negativity? These reactions result from ignoring the impact that any stressful situation, grand or tiny, has on you. Quit pushing that crap down or it will bubble right back up to the surface, bursting and smelling far worse than if you had let it go before (that's the last fart joke, I promise!) 

Anyway, that was my thought for today! Today my focus is on catching myself when I want to complain or pout, as well as catching when something small is bothering me and dealing with the problem now rather than ignoring it until it becomes that 20850345375983240th straw that breaks the camel's back. Let those straws be replaced with peace, love, and happiness, man!