My Piece of $#1t Day

Woke up this morning and the first word out of my mouth was: "$#1t!" I was at least half an hour late to work. My phone - which doubles as my alarm clock - had unexpectedly died the previous night. From the second my feet hit the floor I knew it was going to be one of those days you try to forget. It was going to be one of those days during which every bad thing imaginable happened. I wasn't wrong.

Bad Day Stuff List Jigger

1. Since I wasn't able to get up in time to dry my clean uniform, I had to wear my wrinkled, not so clean uniform to work.

2. The road I usually take to work had a surprise construction site, making the drive longer and me even later.

3. It's never a good feeling when you know you kind of let your coworkers down by not being there during the lunch rush.

4. About ten minutes after clocking in I spilled a customers malt all over the floor. FML.

5. Unfortunately, a chain of bad events can cause some people to be pretty pissed for a long time. I was pretty much fuming throughout my shift. It's hard to make sure the customers don't notice you're having a bad day.

In spite of this, I would have to say I had a pretty good day. Life is so much easier when you compare the daily number of good things to the number of bad things. At least, in my case, the good always outweighs the bad. It might take a little practice, but I've found that by counting my blessings I am always a bit more satisfied with my life.

"Bad Day" Stuff List Jigger

1. My parents send me a pick me up "have a good day" or "love you" every other day. Thanks, parental units!

2. I live with my second family. My college roommates, Derrick, Nathan, Brett, and Steph, Brett's wife, took me in when I was homeless, naked, and poor. I owe them a LOT.

3. I work with my brother from another mother, Jeff Niesen. Props, brah! You make me love my job!

4. In the house in which I live, there are at least four computers, two Xboxes, and plenty of games. I've "wasted" many could-have-used-better hours on entertainment.

5. I love my job! Angie is pretty much the best boss I've ever had. It makes a difference when your boss pushes you to have a life outside of work. I just need to return the favor once in a while...

6. I'm not persecuted for my faith. As unpatriotic as I feel, it's a gift to be in a country where you can practice your beliefs freely.

7. I'm single. I have a LOT of time to do whatever the heck I want. I only have to worry about myself!...kinda...Also, I have a LOT of time. So much time. Any single ladies picking up the hint?

8. Guns 'n' Roses.

9. I spent four years studying music. It may not have landed me a career, but I would never go back and learn something more "practical." I understand the minds of J. S. Bach, Beethoven, and Chopin better than 75% of the music listeners in the world (Note: statistics invented, but hopefully still make a good point.).

10. You know those pajama pants that make you feel like you're not wearing anything? Yeah. I have those.

11. I don't think any customers noticed I was having a bad day. That, to me, is a success!

12. I was able to compile a longer list of good things than bad. Huzzah!

See? Off the top of my head I came up with twice as many good things than bad. Granted, some of what I listed doesn't "happen" every day, per se, but they are long term blessings. Statistically, my day was actually twice as good as I originally had perceived.

Ok, so maybe it doesn't really work that way, but it does help.

There's this neat tradition my friends and family practice on Thanksgiving: we try to think of at least one thing we are thankful for. If you're having a bad day, you might want to ask yourself what you're thankful for? I think you'll find that your list is longer than you expected.