It used to frustrate me way deep down in my soul…
I’d get thirsty and head to the refrigerator for a drink of water. I’d open the door only to discover an empty water pitcher sitting there on the bottom shelf. I would immediately get upset and say things like…
Every time? Every time? Why the heck do I always HAVE to fill it up? No one else can fill it up? Why is it that it is always empty -or- there are only 2 tables spoons of water in it? As if that’s a reason not to fill it up.
Aggravated, I would walk over to the sink. Pop the lid off the pitcher, grab the sprayer from the back of the sink, cut on the water and begin to fill it up. Toxic anger, coursing through my veins every single second of the seemingly long process. I’d return the pitcher to the fridge and walk out of the kitchen still steaming.
This was not healthy, but it was the way I used to live. Thankfully we are gifted with the ability to change. It took a little bit of work to rewire myself and the way I react to stress triggers after realizing that I have control over my thoughts. I learned that I could decide happiness over anger.
I didn’t have to become infuriated when I found the pitcher empty. Instead, I could choose to become grateful and cheerful to have such an opportunity. An opportunity to practice transmuting my thoughts and focus.
I could mentally acknowledge the fact that some people are in hospital beds or maybe even in graveyards wishing they could be with, and contribute to their own families. I GET to add value to my family by filling this pitcher up!
I get to refrigerate and purify my drinking water! I get to choose to be grateful! I get to, sure does feel different than I have to.
I am still constantly finding this pitcher empty on the bottom shelf! I still get to fill it up! I still experience emotions about it, but these new positive emotions are far superior to the old negative ones!
Leaning into gratitude and choosing my thoughts have both played significant roles in reducing my stress. Here are a few of the thoughts I implant into my thinking when things start to head in a sour direction…
– I don’t have to, I get to
– This is happening for me, not to me
– The stress I face today is building the strength I need for tomorrow
– I am too blessed to be stressed
– This too shall pass
I usually have to repeat them over and over in my mind while taking in deep calming breaths for them to eventually take root! In your next challenging moment, I hope you give one a try!