Today I had a bad day.
It all started when I woke up to find that I was still listed as an out-of-state student for our local college, and tuition for the coming semester would be at a phenomenal rate. The first half of the day was spent sending documents with my address, etc. I’m taking classes on the side.
Later in the day I learned that my iTunes account was still disabled on the iPhone side due to shutting it down from having my account ravaged by someone spending money with my information. Junky.
A few hours passed, and I headed to my opera coaching. Someone almost ran into me.
At the close of the day I went to Best Buy and bought a screen protector. The individual who installed it left large pieces of black lint under the screen, causing me to ask for a new installation. More downhill spiral.
And then, my perspective changed.
Standing in line while waiting to get a new screen protector, I found myself talking to a civilian. Looking oddly similar to Santa with only a black beard as difference, he offered me sage advice.
He mentioned that he works construction, and thus, uses an older flip phone. It’s safer to drop and put in a pocket filled with tools. His wife, on the other hand, uses an iPhone.
We then started talking about life. He said something magical that stuck with me. After spending a few years in the military, he spent the next fifteen chasing money. In the process, making a hefty sum, but realizing then that he was selling himself.
Everything that was important, had been waiting at home for him the entire time.
So that’s when I decided to change my attitude. On the way home I rented a movie to watch with a friend, and some baseball card packs for each of my brothers.
Arriving home, I distributed the baseball cards and texted my friend to let him know of the movie I had rented.
In the end, what did I get? My brothers came running back to me after opening their baseball cards…
…and gave me a hug.
How often do we let a bad day progressively get worse? I know I let it happen sometimes. How long do we let it linger? Days? Weeks? Months? Are we taking the time to communicate, in person, with the people around us?
I was thrilled to be offered wisdom by a passing stranger.
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"You’re such a smart boy!" were his first accolades heard. So, it’s no wonder that this phrase became the title of his business, Smart Boy Designs.
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{ 20 comments… read them below or add one }
Interesting….I have experience such type of situation manytimes in my life. As I get to know that today is my bad day then also I know that something will surely going to happen with me today only like magic that will change my day and I keep my ear open, eyes open, my mind open and expecting something positive is going to happen with me and the thing which I am expecting that comes to me through any way or medium say in face of any person who gives me sage advice same like you or any other thing which feel my day with joy.
So the point is that- no matter if we feel that today is my bad day then we should keep our mind, eyes, ears open with expecting something positive is surely going to happen, just I need to realise it and grab that opportunity and as a results we find that our BAD days ENDS with GOOD and JOY.
Thanks a lot for sharing this with us.
Meg recently posted..Cabinets
Twitter: smartboydesigns
November 11, 2011 at 4:16 pm
Really love that lost part here, Meg. Where did you come to live like that? Who taught you? Was it just a byproduct of living with a positive attitude?
Hi Christian
I had a bad day likes yours once. I was walking in downtown San Francisco muttering to myself when an older woman approached me and asked for money to buy coffee. In a foul mood, I brushed her off, but her voice was so sweet and she had the face of an angel. As I walked on, I thought about her, and her sweetness, so I turned around to give her money for the coffee – and she was gone! To this day, I think she might have been an angel to remind me to “sweeten up” my attitude
Twitter: smartboydesigns
November 11, 2011 at 4:14 pm
That’s just beautiful. Wow. I’m convinced situations like that really are heavenly, and I’m grateful to hear of them. What an inspiration.
Thanks for sharing!
Yes, it is amazing what happens when we change our attitude or perspective. Looks like you had a great chat and made your brothers’ day!
They say that if bad things happen. Then it also has good things. The words the stranger give to you give you the courage to think positive in life. I also experience that thing when my husband left me, but as you can see, I was still strong and still moving on. Life is a constant flow, you must follow the flow in order to overcome problems.
Twitter: kikolani
November 10, 2011 at 9:59 pm
Definitely a great lesson. I told a friend today that maybe all of the bad stuff happens all at once so that overall we have more good days than bad ones as opposed to just a little something bad happening every day.
Kristi Hines recently posted..How to Win a Blogging Contest
Twitter: smartboydesigns
November 11, 2011 at 4:17 pm
A beautiful thought, Kristi. You surround yourself with good friends.
Twitter: Faryna
November 11, 2011 at 12:42 am
God spoke with you. That’s awesome and amazing, Christian!
But, if you didn’t hear it yet today, you are one amazing and awesome young man. And I, I am not surprised that God speaks with you.
Stan Faryna recently posted..One Christian’s Letter to Occupy Wall Street Protesters #OWS
Twitter: berget
November 11, 2011 at 2:47 am
Hi Christian,
I’ve experienced days like that, and I can only imagine what it would be like to get this excellent advice from Santa. This is true wisdom, and we should never let a bad experience continue to ruin our day. Fun and happiness is always around the corner, we just need to open our minds in order to get it. If we continue to think about bad things, bad things will happen.
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Twitter: smartboydesigns
November 11, 2011 at 4:19 pm
In my mind, yes, it was just Santa giving me some sage wisdom. I appreciate his time.
Your last line there is what matters most. Think of bad things, and the bad things will happen. TRUE!
Christian, its cliche to say that bad days are meant yo be so that we appreciate the good days. that’s is so true. I’m so impressed you didn’t take out your foul mood on people around you instead you make them happy. That is the attitude we all should employ;) life would be so much awesomer,)
Tram tran recently posted..How a 17 year old make thousands of dollar every month.
Twitter: wonderoftech
November 11, 2011 at 5:55 am
Hi Christian, It’s all a matter of perspective, isn’t it? When I read your headlines, I was really worried that your health was in jeopardy after your recent post on that subject. Imagine my relief when I learned that your bad day was due to frustrations instead of ailments.
I don’t mean to minimize your frustrations, I know they’re real. But just are your perspective changed during the day, mine did too as I learned you were safe.
Happy Veteran’s Day, my friend!
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Twitter: smartboydesigns
November 11, 2011 at 4:23 pm
I’m not extra ill this week, Carolyn. I really appreciate your support and concern however. That’s very kind of you!
I’m really focusing on sleeping/resting when my body is telling me to, and that helps a lot. I can’t always sleep, but as long as I’m resting, things start to get better.
Happy Veteran’s Day to you!
We only control ONE thing in our lives…our reactions, our attitudes towards events in our life. I’m so please that you realized how much choice YOU have in how your day goes!
Bruce Sallan recently posted..NEWS OF THE MOMENT
This reminds me of a woman I met while I was in Idaho. She lost her house in a fire and she hadn’t gone to church in a long time. I talked with her about it and she said something that was quite profound, “I had to lose everything, to realize what I was missing.”
Twitter: smartboydesigns
November 11, 2011 at 4:24 pm
Beautiful!
Thanks for another terrific comment on the positive side of life. Attitude can be positive or negative, and we have the power to choose which way it will go.
Twitter: SocialSavvyGeek
November 11, 2011 at 9:18 pm
Good points, Christian. Sometimes I have to just stop, breathe, and take stock. My car needs repair? I’m lucky to have a car. iPhone issues? I HAVE AN iPHONE! Someone treats me badly for no reason? I’m glad that my I’m happier in my life than they are; it must be sad to take out your frustrations on total strangers… etc. I work very hard for the things that I have and I am blessed. We cannot control our circumstances, but we CAN choose our reaction to them and our attitude. I choose happiness. I’m glad that you’re making good choices, too.
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Twitter: jocelynwilhelm
November 14, 2011 at 4:43 pm
I love our outlook on life Christian! You continue to inspire me. Keep up the good work my friend!
Jocelyn Wilhelm recently posted..The Game of Like!