Stomp Out "The Grumpy's"

Radiating Joy

Is it just me, or have folks gotten extremely grumpy these days? I suppose that there are a lot of reasons that we can choose to be grumpy, but for those of us who refuse to give in to negative emotions, I want to encourage you to keep radiating your beautiful, bright, vibrant and lovely sunshine into this world. You are an agent of beauty and peace, and the darker this world becomes the brighter your light will shine.

If you hold that kind of light, and you know who you are, never forget the tremendous influence you can have on others. Sherrie and I were checking out at a grocery store recently when we watched a cashier try to keep their cool as a customer was just being plan down ugly. After she left we made an intentional effort to try and reverse the effects that the grumpy lady had on that poor cashier. By the time we put the last items in our grocery cart we had everyone around us smiling and laughing. It dawned on me in that moment that we had just stopped "the grumpy's" dead in their tracks, and that I also had a solid blog topic.

The Grumpy's

Now, I could write a dissertation on the psychology behind personalities, behavioral patterns and influences that contribute to "the grumpy's" in people, but I'll spare you from all that and I'll try to keep this blog simple. The bottom line is that we all get 'the grumpy's" from time-to-time, but it's important that we don't stay in that mode. It's also important that we stop "the grumpy's" from spreading because "the grumpy's" can be contagious. If you encounter a situation where bad attitudes and ugliness fill the air then immediately begin devising your plan to stomp it out with love, laughter and joy. This comes easier for some than others. If you are a natural born optimist, and you simply love this life, then you already know what to do, but if you lean toward pessimism, gloom and irritation then here are some thoughts to consider.

• The odds that you were even born is 1 in 400,000,000,000,000. Be grateful for the air in your lungs each and every day.

• Acknowledge that you DO NOT have all the answers. Humility breeds grace.

• Recognize that physical pain can contribute to your temper. Don't take it out on others because you are in pain.

• Learn to embrace and manage discomfort. Comfort can become an idol, and will eventually make you weak.

• Stop scrolling and turn off that damn screen. You were never designed to handle every single tragedy and event this crazy world offers each day.

• Move! You must get some kind of physical exercise to be mentally healthy.

• Lighten up. Not everything is monumental. Actually, most things are not monumental.

• Find humor in this life and learn to laugh at yourself.

• Remember that we are all made unique and we are in this world together. Kindness kills confrontation.

This life can be a blast, but it begins with your attitude each and every day. Each morning ask yourself how you are going to bring joy to this world? Be intentional throughout the day as you look for ways to make folks smile. Will you help me stomp out "the grumpy's"?