There is absolutely no doubt when you are determined to obtain something, you will have it. Which is why it never ceases to amaze me when witnessing how much time and effort average people, just like you and me, put into being miserable, mean, mosh pits of wasted space on this planet! They walk around with this twisted face. Many growl at you – they growl – not speak. Nothing is ever good enough. If it’s a cloudy day, the sun is never out. If it’s sunny, it is always too hot. It never ends.
Now please don’t get me wrong, my view is to always give people the best foot forward report card. It is always my assumption that most people mean well and wish to proceed and be of service and add value to others. Unfortunately, in the report card of life, it just is not the reality now is it?
For Example, just today, there was a huge disruption on the commuter train line, Metro North, from Stamford, CT to Grand Central Station in Manhattan ( New York City ).
In terms of volume, of the three lines which Metro North operates, the Stamford Station is by far the single busiest station. People were losing their minds. Even as a train or two was provided for a short term solution, everyone packed aboard the train and jostled with others for a seat for the usual fifty two minute ride into NYC. By no means is it my suggestion to somehow figure out how to be happy about these circumstances. The point is, “Do you have to become miserable about it?” After all, isn’t everyone else here going through the same thing? Now by your behavior you add to everyone else’s experience by your verbal and other displays of your personal misery. Are you seriously thinking you are the only person who is going to be late for an appointment or for work or for something? Do you seriously think you are the only person considering how they are going to be able to return home at the end of the day if this is not repaired?
When we determine how we will show up each day, it is our duty to ourselves and our fellow inhabitants on the planet earth to intentionally show up happy. It will be difficult at times when being influenced by others to keep the happy face on. Try. This is a habit worth working on so it becomes a state of mind. Believe me when admitting it has not been easy for me either. We all have our moments. Let’s just try to reduce the amount of times we display our unhappiness and strive to increase the amount of times we display our happiness.
“Learn to enjoy every minute of your life. Be happy now. Don’t wait for something outside of yourself to make you happy in the future. Think how really precious is the time you have to spend, whether it’s at work or with your family. Every minute should be enjoyed and savored.”
– Earl Nightingale
Mitch Tublin is an advanced certified executive and personal coach who resides in Stamford, CT.
I’m with you Mitch. I suggest that people watch the film Crash and focus on the Kim Lee scenes. You learn to give people the benefit of the doubt and not let their negativity affect your day creating a negativity in you until a “huge eruption happens on a commuter train!’
Mitch, I completely agree with the comment to “be happy now.” We need to learn to be content in the present moment. Love this.
What a great idea about the movie, Jessica…..I agree, we are not the stars of the movie as we move through life.
Mitch,
It reminds me of the song — “Don’t Worry Be Happy”
I believe that happiness is choice and even when life hands us lemons we have the power to make lemonade.
Write on!~
Lisa
I have a totally different perspective on this one! for many people it’s NOT a choice if they have burned out adrenals, if their diet is bad and they didn’t have breakfast to keep their blood sugar stable or if they have low levels of brain chemicals like serotonin or GABA. Address these types of factors and we have way more calm and happy people! really!
I agree with Trudy. Often when people are on the blood sugar roller coaster (either because they didn’t eat breakfast, ate the wrong breakfast, or are eating foods that are not good choices) their ability to think beyond themselves is compromised. If our neurotransmitters aren’t functioning properly, our thought process isn’t either.
oh so many times this blog post is needed – through my work I have seen many toxic workplaces where just one or two people with a bad day attitude have brought down a whole team. And now I have a new name for them “mean, mosh pits of wasted space!”
thanks Mitch
Heidi Alexandra Pollard
Amen to you and Earl Nightengale!! YES!!! Life is too precious to be wasted in a huff. How you deal with any moment is your choice. It is POWERFUL to have that choice. I say: use it for your own good (like you say, Mitch) and BE HAPPY!
Love,
Katherine
Katherine C. H. E.
Author, Be True Rich
Great post, Mitch. Whenever I’m in a bad mood I switch my focus towards something I’m grateful for. It is impossible to be a mean grump and hold a sense of gratitude at the same time.