The sun is not up yet, the house is quiet. Today is just beginning. No one has spoken to me yet. The cats are fed and the dog is still asleep. I don’t have to let out Martha yet to go the bathroom.
Sometimes, no, most of the time, I resent taking her outside. Why do I always have to do this? Why can’t someone else let her out? Why is it always me?
(p.s. it is not always me. Other people let out Martha)
Did you notice the complaining attitude? It falls into the category of : YOU MAKE ME SO MAD!
Have you ever said that?
I have.
Well, you know what? No body can MAKE you mad. If you get mad, if you are grumbling and complaining, it is your choice.
No body can make you mad.
Now granted,they may be really annoying, they may never pick their socks up off the floor, they may have forgotten to pick you up at the store, they may burp and fart in public, they may never pick up the dog poop, they may use a toothpick at the restaurant table, they may lick their knife and push their peas on to their fork with their finger, they may never put down the toilet seat, they may never call on your birthday, They may constantly be late (p.s. these are hypothetical people, and in no way shape or form resemble my husband , children, or my friends.)
Go ahead, add a few more,
They may never__________________
They may never __________________
They may never ____________________
It isn’t what you have or who you are or where you are or what you are doing that makes you happy or unhappy. It is what you think about it.
― Dale Carnegie, How to Win Friends and Influence People
Now, I want you to make up your mind.
What attitude will you choose today?
I saw that smile on your face this morning at church. Was it hiding a bad attitude? Will you smile at me and scowl at your family members when you get back in the car when service is over?”
I can hear you as you drive away, “You make me so mad. I can’t believe you sat in my favorite chair. Why didn’t you get me a drink of water when you got one for yourself. I had to let the dogs out again. Why are you always so slow in getting ready. Mrs. Smith walked right by me and didn’t say hello again.”
Today I will choose to be grateful. I will just say Thank you all day. Thank you God for my health. Thank you God I can serve today. Thank you God for a dog to love. Thank you God that Martha, the dog, poops outside and not in the house. Thank you God for my family and my friends. Thank you God that I have a washing machine to wash all the piles of laundry all over the floor the laundry room floor. Thank you God for a sink to wash my dishes in.
Thank you God I have seven litter boxes so the cats don’t mess on the carpet.
Today I choose to smile and be joyful.
What attitude do you choose today?
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P.S. I just walked Martha the dog. I was even nice about it.
P.S.S.
If you are in a situation where you are in danger, or being abused please read some of the contacts at the bottom. Be safe. If someone blames you for their anger and takes it out on you. Get help. It is not your fault.
National Network To End Domestic Violence
