Some Days Are Like That…

When my children were young, I would read to them every night. It was a great way to connect with my kids at the end of the day. I enjoyed revisiting books of my youth and was also introduced to new book series that Justin loved. One of our favorites was Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst. If you have read the story, you know it is about a day in Alexander’s life that does not go smoothly. He falls asleep with gum in his mouth and wakes with it in his hair. He trips on a skateboard getting out of bed. He accidentally drops his sweater in the sink with the water running. He wants to move to Australia because he is convinced days like this do not happen there. His day proceeds to go downhill. Alexander can’t seem to catch a break. That night his mom explained that some days are like that, even in Australia. The point is he is not a unicorn. We all have days that are more challenging than others. No one is exempt from challenges and some days are harder than others.

This past Monday was one of those days. I was feeling accomplished to have completed my blog on Sunday. I was up before the sun to edit my writing. It was exciting to be using my new laptop in the comfort of the living room while the rest of the family slumbered. Ah, the joy of a peaceful morning. I did not have a mouse set up on my laptop. I was using my finger on the pad to move the cursor around. I have no idea how I did it, but I deleted my blog. I tried to Command Z. I tried all the undoing I could think of, but nothing brought my writing back. (I probably could not do that again if I tried, nor do I plan on doing it again.) I decided to look for the positive. Monday was Martin Luther King Day and I was off work. This gave me extra time to re-write the blog. Maybe the new blog would be better. 

Feeling a bit defeated, I decided to take a break and charge my laptop. I went to my room to get the charging cable. There it is on the floor broken into pieces! My sweet Ben had decided it would be a great chew toy. I can’t figure out how he reached it. I yell at Ben, knowing he has no idea what he did. How long is a dog’s memory? Longer than a goldfish and shorter than a cat’s? I digress. Rather than sitting around dwelling on the problem, I take the advice of Elizabeth Benton and start working on a solution. I logged into the Apple store (on my cell phone) and ordered a new charger for pick up at the closest store. Yes, I am solving problems. I got a confirmation email that reminded me to bring my government ID when I pick it up. I planned to send Justin and Emily to pick it up. Now what? I call the store and make arrangements for Justin to pick up the cable. I am slaying it.

While Justin and Emily are running errands for me, I take the time to get back to writing. Off to the office to work on the desktop. The mouse won’t connect. Is this happening? I restarted the computer. Breaking out my trusted cell phone, I look for solutions on Google and YouTube. I tried a few more things that didn’t work. Well, this debunks my quote: “All things are possible with God and Google or Yoda and YouTube.” I went into my room and put on a Pause Breathe Reflect meditation on Insight Timer. I was losing my cool and needed to take a break and gain some perspective. I must have dozed off. The next thing I hear is Emily screaming. Ah, back to reality. 

I unwrap my Apple package enthusiastically (like a child on Christmas morning). I get it unpackaged and realize I ordered the wrong charger. Running out of daylight, I decided that getting the correct cable had to wait until tomorrow. I open the iPad and get to work. I have a blog to write and a deadline to meet. I set the deadline. I know I could change it, but I have not missed one yet. I am committed to getting this blog done and scheduled to publish. It was not better than my first draft, but it was finished. I did not quit and faced each obstacle.

As I was journaling at the end of the day, I was filled with gratitude. I was grateful that I managed my thoughts. There was a time when a day like this would have had me crying on the sofa with popcorn, wine, and the remote control. I was grateful that I have learned that sometimes walking away from the problem and meditating is the most productive thing. I was grateful that tomorrow would be another day. I was grateful that I recalled a children’s book that reminded me that some days are like this…even in California.

Note: Thank you to the friends and family that suggested that I write about my mostly (because there is something GOOD in every day) terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. I appreciate your support. I am forever grateful that you take the time to read my posts and give me your thoughts.