Sometimes Having a Good Day Is A Choice

Well, it's been one of those days.  The good kind, when God shows up in ordinary ways to remind us that all of life matters.  I need reminders that small stuff adds up to  a holy whole.

The day started at Addison Gilbert Hospital, where I went to get blood work done before my annual physical.  First sign of good to come came from Maya Angelou's words etched on a granite bench just outside the entrance. It read,"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will not forget how you made them feel." Someone donated that bench to honor someone.  Their  thoughtfulness and generosity left me feeling thankful. 

After registering, I headed for the lab.  Elizabeth with one quick prick, hit the vein and I was free to go.  I  thanked her for doing a good job. She nodded and offered  a friendly shrug. Like, no problem.  God only knows the effort it took to shrug her shoulders. We all carry unseen burdens. Later I thought, I prefer competence over charm in a  phlebotomist.  Competence left me feelng safe.

My morning ended at Shaw's Market. In between I stopped at Ace Hardware, where God  also showed up, but that's for another blog.  So back to Shaw's where I  struggled to free a cart from a long line of carts.  Next to me, a much  younger woman wrestled to do likewise. When hers came free, I cheered.  She laughed and said,"This cart's for you."  I thanked her and asked her name.  She said,"It's Karen."  Then added, "Have a good day."  I said,"I'm having a good day, Karen, and you're part of it." Karen left me feeling seen.

Life's made up of moments, reminders that small stuff matters.  It's a good practice to consider the feelings of others, not just our own.   Although, I've gotta admit, I'm feeling pretty good. But I'll let the band-aid on my left arm remind me to respond not react to shrugs, but choose to feel grateful for competent people who hit the vein,  share their grocery cart, or donate a bench.

All left me feeling good to be alive on this September day.

Sometimes, having a good day is a choice to notice and give thanks.

How's your day?