There are days that seem to flow by seamlessly and effortlessly. Days filled with blissful laughter and smiles.
Sunshine and rainbows.
Unicorns are dancing across the sky, and angels are floating in the clouds.
Then there are the bad days.
Dark days. Emotionally more so than in a literal sense, but I would argue that many decisions we make, as human beings, in our lives stem from the foundations of each person’s mental well-being, and current state of mind.
Whatever the causes may be, from spilling a fresh cup of coffee to your dog dying, people go through bad days, simply put.
So, what is a person to do on a day when it feels especially hard to muster us a genuine smile, or the courage to interact with everyday society?
Alternative measures might be necessary to maintain a balance throughout everyday living, when even maintaining a positive outlook on life can seem daunting in these moments.
On the tough days, finding the right motivation to be productive can feel impossible. Finding ways to be happy during these times is like looking for a rainbow on the cloudiest days. Sunshine and rain are both required to create rainbows, and if a sky remains cloudy all day, there WON’T be any rainbows to be seen.
Based on my self-proclaimed status of being a Chronic pessimist, I might be more adept at dwelling on negative emotions than the average person (whatever that is). Like superbly good at ruminating on unpleasant thoughts.
I am going the ask anyone reading this, the same question now that I posed to my daughter while searching through pictures of flowers earlier.
What makes you smile when you feel sad?
Her response was real, and toy horses make her happy when she is feeling upset. (My daughter is an avid animal lover of all shapes and species).
What makes you smile?
For many, animals are an easy go-to fix for what feels a like breath of relief to the brain. In my opinion peace of mind feel like a huge sigh of relief all over my .
Happiness can feel like a dose of medicine that tastes good when you’re feeling ill enough to need the medicine.
Laughter is key for me. Laughter is medicine to the soul.
I enjoy laughing at the “non-funny” things, because I can think of a thousand reasons at any given time to brood over the wicked corruptness of humanity.
I no longer rely on anyone else’s opinion to tell me what is funny, how to enjoy what I like, or what I choose to find humor in. I can choose what I wish to laugh about. I have even watched stand-up comedy shows in moments of depression, because getting some hardy laughter in can feel healing, and comforting to a weary soul.
I laugh as much as possible. To counterbalance the crying and fits of rage.
I would like to think I am a relatively nice, easy-going person.
I guess, except when l am not. Moments of aggravation that may seem minor can feel like water boiling underneath my skin that might burst out in steam from my ears, but if I come to a realization of how something is only a minor inconvenience, and would not warrant causing a giant scene, I try to return to a place of calm thinking. Rational thinking.
For example, when I’m in the middle of a grocery store and am experiencing feelings of sensory overload, I have to remind myself to walk from a place of balance, and peace, because even though my body feels like jumping out of my own skin I must remain civilized in public (such a drag). Which is in everyone’s best interest, honestly.
In these moments I feel embarrassed as a grown woman who seemingly is a mad woman, and can’t keep all her marbles in her jar. I feel foolish for feeling so out of control in a public environment, and that really drives home the negative self talk along with pure self-hatred.
What helps me when I get this way?
Humility and humbleness, because I do feel humiliated when I act childish like that, but it returns me to a state of humbleness.
It reminds me that no one was meant to be better than everyone else and we’re all out here trying to survive in this world. Hopefully enjoying life, not just surviving, but life can really leave a person in the dumps.
It’s what we are all searching for. A life free from pain, suffering, and discomfort.
We all have the ability to do great things in our lives, regardless of any nonsense that suggests otherwise.
“Everybody is a genius, but if you judge a fish by it’s ability to climb trees, it will go its whole life believing it is stupid.”
-Albert Einstein
“.. And however difficult life may seem, there is always something you can do, and succeed at. It matters that you don’t just give up”.
-Stephen Hawking
Oprah’s stance on what makes a person great is a simple line that I tell myself often:
“Everyone has the power for greatness- not for fame but greatness, because greatness is determined by service.”
-Oprah Winfrey
Little quotes like these, from people who are recognized as some of the greatest minds to have ever lived, really create perspective for me that brings me peace of mind.
Einstein and Hawking are considered to be two of the most brilliant minds ever. In the entirety of life. Do they praise themselves in this manner? NO. Q
Instead they lived with an understanding in their heart that we all have the ability to be just as smart as them, and I find this to be a beautiful sentiment.
You, Me, and Borderline 