Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Two Options

Everyone can be an optimist when things are easy.

Okay, not everyone. Hubster is proof of that. I'll comment on what a beautiful day it is, and he will respond with something about how hot it will get, or how it won't last, or something else entirely pessimistic.

But it is easier to be optimistic when things are going the way they "should." When the boys are well-behaved, the cars both work, the weather is beautiful, and work is enjoyable.

This month has been none of those things. This month has pushed my ability to be optimistic to it's very edge.

My work this month has been more demanding than anything I have done previously. The people I am working with are some of the most difficult personalities I have ever encountered. My hours have been some of the longest I have ever put in, leaving when it's dark, coming home when it's dark practically every day.

The boys have reacted to my longer hours and other changes in their schedules by fighting more with each other. Monkey has had some regression in terms of sleeping and potty training. A lot of work around the house has fallen to Hubster, including the task of coping with the unwelcome changes in the boys' behavior. So Hubster has been a little more grumpy as well.

I've been so exhausted that my temper has been shorter, my desire to help cook and clean at home as been less. I come home and fall asleep shortly after, leaving little time to play with the boys (and even less time to blog.)

I dread going to work, mostly because of the people I'm currently working with.

I feel like I have every reason to fall into a pity party. There are days when I would just like to stomp my foot, and yell, and give up.

But I haven't.

I'm not saying that I haven't been grumpy. I'm not saying I haven't cried several times on my way home from work.

But I can't give up. I have to keep plodding on. And I have two ways I can do it. I can either cry, or I can laugh.

I'm doing my best to go with option 2.

And would you like to here something good about this month?

It's almost over.

4 comments:

  1. This month IS almost over. Praise the heavens!

    I'm sorry things have been so tough for you lately. I don't have any brilliant advice on how to get through it because I've never really been in your shoes. Just picture what things will be like when this is over and maybe that will help?

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  2. Courage and composure in times of adversity, as well as that tenacity that holds a steady course toward what is good and true is the measure of good character. Well done. Laugh Katherine. You have the ability to squeeze every last drop of joy from each day.This is one of your special unique personal gifts. The sum of your days will mean it is an ever overflowing cup making all the bitter, sweet; all the difficult a source of pride; all the pain a triumph! Across miles,and through the universe, hear the hands, clapping until the air is full, like the sound of the sea, cheering you on. Baby steps!:)

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  3. Every time things get difficult for me I flash back to my Psychology 101 class at Snow- My teacher talked about attitude and for his example used Victor Frankl an concentration camp survivor. The quote I love Is...."We who lived in concentration camps can remember the men who walked through the huts comforting others, giving away their last piece of bread. They may have been few in number, but they offer sufficient proof that everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms -- to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way.”- I have tried to adopt that attitude into my own life- People can do things to you but only you can choose how you let them affect you. I think that message is important in today's world where everyone is trying to blame anyone for their problems instead of dealing with them. SO I love to hear that your choice is to Laugh- Just know that someone here in Utah is pulling for you and amazingly proud of all you have done!

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  4. My hubby's previous job was crappy (well, the people were rude and tried to take advantage of him being the newbie and all). He hated to go to work. So I told him to think of at least one thing that was funny that happened at work each day...and write it down. He came up with some pretty funny things, though some days it was hard to think of one. (He doesn't work there anymore, thank goodness. But I still ask him about any funny moments.) :) So seek out the funny moment every day and laugh (even if you're the only one who gets it). :)

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