I can't remember where I first heard the quote "Don't let a moment ruin your day" but it's been buried in the back of my mind for quite some time. I've let a moment ruin my day on many occasions, which is probably why this quote buried itself deep into my mind because I knew it was true. Those moments have been about many different things:
Someone made me upset while driving
Woke up in a bad mood for whatever reason
Was inconvenienced by someone at work
A disagreement with my wife
That list could go on and on, but you get the idea. I can even remember times when I was having a great day and then some small thing interrupted my mood and I couldn't shake it for the rest of the day, ruining what could have been a great day. My wife has called me out on this many times, and after a while it started to sink in for me that I can control how I react to something that throws off my groove. In those moments, deep down I want to hold on to it and even spread it. As you might assume, or know from personal experience, spreading misery never ends well.
I have found it helps to recognize when I am in that MOMENT and I almost have to say out loud which direction I am going to go with my mood. While driving with my wife on our way to a social event when I am in a bad mood, because that is the last thing I want to do that particular evening, I have to recognize that I am in that MOMENT where I CAN choose. I used to bat close to .250 but now I'm closer to .700, the result of intentional work.
Many things can get under your skin, but there is a choice in how long you let it stay there. I hope my struggle and slow but steady progress gives you some hope and insight in how you can work to choose how you respond to the inevitable bad moments in life.
-Nate
“I have met the enemy. It is I"
-Alexander The Great
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