By Deborah J. Thomas

I was not having a happy day. Unable to find the yard sale house that sold the black wire baskets in the perfect size, my spirit sank. Then it went sour. I was now in a very bad mood. Nothing pleased me. I suddenly felt fat and lethargic. Though it was an overcast day, I forced myself to suit up and swim my laps and get it over with. I hated that a close friend is having health problems. That a sibling is seriously ill. And that another is moving and the decisions are causing her terrible stress. That I was behind on my homework for a class. That I had spent wasted minutes driving around to find that house in a self-contained neighborhood and barely found the exit.

Though I’d taken care of wonderful things prior to his aggravation, those got buried. I went to the pool in a grumpy frump.

The pushing of water did something. My spirit came around full circle. I realized that I shall never drive through a community yard sale again without marking down the addresses of good ones. Had I done that, I would know exactly where to have located those baskets. My fault. 

I lassoed my Bad Day, and dragged it into the Shepherd’s corral, as it were. I composed my:

Time to Get Happy List

1. I’m able to swim laps and have a pool I can use year-round.
2. Navigating through water with my arms and legs feels powerful and revives my spirit.
3. I can be satisfied with the three baskets I did get to buy.
4. I can restore my memory by writing down clues for myself.
5. We’re putting a compass in our car, rescuing me from disorientation. Found at a yard sale!
6. My husband was supportive of me, didn’t criticize but said he was sorry I felt so bad.
7. I can pray for my friend, and siblings and ask God to strengthen and heal them.  If I start worrying, I can pray again.
8. I can trust the Lord to take care of them and handle their needs.
9. I can get easily make up the homework and stop moaning about it.
10. I can take delight in the things I accomplished before the pre-gloomy: straightening the breakfast table, finding a misplaced notebook and playing worship songs on the piano.

What is on your Time to Get Happy List?

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