Chuck's Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

Have you ever had one of those mornings where you just wake up ticked off? You are just angry, upset, and mad? Today was one of those days.

I don't know what caused me to be so upset. My alarm rang and I got out of bed with no problem. It was, to the rest of the world, a regular morning. But I was just MAD. Everything just seemed to be irritating me.

My hair was a greasy mop on my head- up into a ponytail with the bangs pinned back it went.
The dishes were stacked to the max in the drain rack. (I should be glad it wasn't dirty dishes in the sink.) I had a bad raspberry in my carton. A roommate left a mess in the living room. I had to make lunch for the day. Then the bathroom counter was covered in a puddle of water (from the previously mentioned roommate). I had to grab my precious quarters (which help me to keep my clothes clean) to fill a tire with air. And in my haste to do so, I left my toaster waffle sitting in the toaster. Oh well, it was probably burnt anyway.

It turns out, the local Chevron near my apartment has a free air hose. Hurray, no need to use my laundry quarters filling up a tire. Downside, it had no tire gauge so I had no idea how much air was going it. A lot. But don't worry... by the time I made my trek on the freeway and got to work... the low tire pressure light was on. The air didn't even stay inside the stupid tire!!!

Yep, I was just mad. I called my mom because she has all the answers to life (seriously don't know what I would do without here). Upside, I got to talk to my nephew for a moment. He makes everything right.

At work, I made a little mistake that I normally don't make and WHAM!! The boss not only tells me to do what I have been doing except for this one STINKIN' time but then he emails everyone to remind them to do it to! UGH!!! I was mad. What a crap day!

Then lunch time rolled around and I had to go to the local tire place to get my now completely flat tire fixed. Ten minutes into the process, the mechanic comes up to me and tells me that my front tires are shot. They should be replaced soon. Very soon. He's kind enough to hand me a tire quote and explain everything to me. Okay, it was my fear. However, the quote is reasonable. And they didn't charge me for fixing my tire. Saweet!

I get back to work and now I feel like every question I ask to clarify something is treated as the world stupidest question. The feeling of inadequacy burns through my veins. Why am I even working here? Am I really even qualified to answer this stupid phone?

Time ticks by. Finally it's 5. I clock out and get the heck out of Dodge. I check my tire. Looking good and fixed. I make it back home in record time... just in time to pay my rent. Huzzah. (NOT). I check the mail. A letter from an old companion who is still serving in California. I'll have to remember to write her back. And in another mysterious letter I find... a check! It's my deposit back from my last apartment. Yippee!! Money to cover the cost of tires. All is right in the world.

Okay, so maybe today wasn't the worst day I could ever have. There are plenty of people who have crappier situations than I have. I'm doing quite well actually. Sometimes, you get so focused on your own life and on your own self that you just get sucked into this pit of anger and irritation. It can be hard to drag yourself out.

To show you that I am, in fact, capable of dragging myself out of this terrible dark pit, I thought I'd list the blessings I recognized (or the "Tender mercies of the Lord" if you will):

1. I got to talk to my mom on the phone.
2. I got to talk to my sweet and adorable nephew on the phone.
3. My sweet and adorable nephew wanted to talk to me on the phone.
4. I was reminded to always strive to do a better job.
5. The guy at the tire place was very helpful and kind to me.
6. They didn't charge me for fixing my tire.
7. I ate a decent lunch.
8. I had plenty of water.
9. I finally paid my rent and now I don't have to worry about it until next month.
10. I got a check in the mail. No complaints there.
11. My parents are awesome and always willing to help me out whenever I need it.
12. There are moments when I'm talking on the phone when I realize how mature and professional I sound.
13. My phone skills have improved immensely with this job.
14. I was reminded of how much potential I actually have.
15. Heavenly Father answers prayers. Even when I don't feel like I deserve it.
16. The air conditioner works in my car.
17. My roommates, despite the fact that they don't really clean up after themselves a whole lot, are really nice.
18. I got a letter from an old companion.
19. I get paid this week.
20. Tomorrow is another day and thus it is as full of potential as I am.

Thank goodness for tomorrows to help when we have bad todays.

Just take a step back and recognize the good things that have come from a bad day. It helps way more than I thought it could.

Smile Always,

Chuck