-White River National Forest, Colorado, USA

I'm going to be very honest right now.  I'm in a rotten mood.  I didn't get enough sleep, but that's nothing new.  The rush out of the house to get the Big Kids to school was hectic, again that's nothing new.  Tempers flared and frustrations were spoken without tenderness and respect; there's a pattern here. 

Days like today make me feel like I'm a the high C piano string and someone is banging away on the key.

So, I'm doing what all self-absorbed bloggers do, and telling you all about it.  I'm hoping the exercise of writing about my stress will help me get a better perspective on it and let go of the tension.  I'm hoping by typing the words that I tell Sissy all the time will help me do what I recommend to her...

Choose your attitude.  Choose your perspective.

From J. Donald Waters, via www.quotesoup.com:

"Happiness is an attitude of mind, born of the simple determination to be happy under all outward circumstances."

I think I will look back through some vacation photos and remember the beauty of this world and my wonderful family.  I will try to focus on what went right today, not what went wrong.  I will close my eyes and remember the smile on Dude's face when he saw me at school for the book fair and that strong hug he gave me after he picked out his new book of science experiments.  I will look at Cupcake's sweet, little toes, dirty from scooting and crawling without socks or shoes.  I will remember the expression on Sissy's face when she kicked from near mid-field and scored a goal last night.  I will smile when I think of how happy it makes Chad to be home with his family and how very much he loves us.

I choose to be content.  I choose gratitude.  I choose joy and laughter.

Is that the choice you made today too? 

Are there days when you feel like a grizzly bear with a toothache?