Moods

Be Yourself

“The snow goose need not bathe to make itself white. Neither need you do anything but be yourself.”

Lao Tzu

Do you have days when you wake up on the wrong side of the bed? When everything that happens infuriates you? Days when you're just looking for something to 'cuss' about? I do. Yesterday was one of them. It wasn't pretty. I hollered at the dogs until my throat was raw—and groused to my friend over lunch. She brought me homemade chicken soup later, hoping it might sweeten my attitude. Sometimes an ill-humor jumps on us like a green devil we can't shake off no matter what.

Thankfully, moods are not permanent. Some days are neutral, we glide through without a hitch. Other mornings we wake up feeling great, and the everything that happens adds to our happiness. We are creatures with many shades of color; our range is wide. I don't know if snow geese ever wake up on the wrong side of the bed, or whether elephants have temper tantrums, but we homo-sapiens are capable of the whole stretch of emotions. Some feel good, others miserably uncomfortable—all are part of our human experience.

The important thing is to be where you are, to feel what you feel, to acknowledge your emotions, and be authentic. You might give others a warning when your mood is grouchy. Let them know to lay low. You might apologize, as I did yesterday, to people, or dogs, who inadvertently step into your danger zone. Give yourself the same latitude you give to the people you love. It's all good—nobody's perfect.

                                                                 In the Spirit,

                                                                       Jane