How many times have you heard someone say “I got up on the wrong side of the bed.” Or maybe you yourself use this phrase. I looked up the definition and here it is: To feel irritable; to be in a bad mood; to have a bad day from the start, for no particular reason.
For no particular reason is what strikes me in this phrase. Things begin to go wrong and sometimes continue to go wrong for the rest of the day. WHY? And Can we turn things around and make our day go well?
I believe we CAN.
Let’s say you wake up. The first thought that hits you is Uggh, it’s Monday, back to work. It’s going to be a bad day! You’ve already conditioned yourself to actually HAVE a BAD day. You’ve initiated it with your thought. You’ve invited it with your expectation. Therefore, you will get the day you predicted for yourself.
But, what if you wake up and the first thought that hits you is: Ahh, it’s Monday, It’s going to be a great day! Now you’ve conditioned yourself to actually HAVE a GOOD day. You’ve initiated it with your thought. You’ve invited it with your expectation. Therefore, you will get the day you predicted for yourself.
Which scenario do you want for yourself?
But, you may say. Your suggestions are too simplistic. I KNOW I’m going to have a bad day and no amount of positive thoughts can change that.
I disagree.
Even if you wake up and you KNOW that this particular day will bring challenges, you can change your overall mood for the day by focusing on what’s good in your life upon waking up, even before you get out of bed.
The better your mood, the better your day will go. Think about this for a minute. If you’re in a very good mood isn’t it true that things don’t bother you as much? Isn’t it true that you might brush things off that other wise would really bother you?
What if you’re in a bad mood? Doesn’t EVERYTHING seem to bother you, from the smallest of inconveniences to the big stuff?
So, what does this have to do with getting out of the RIGHT side of the bed?
If you want your day to go as smoothly as possible take time before you get out of bed and reflect on all the good things that are currently in your life. Start with family and friends, your job, your house, car, other possessions, conveniences. Think of every GOOD THING. This should only take about 5 minutes. As you begin to think about how fortunate you are and feel gratitude for all of it your mood will be one of joy.
What about the challenges you might face that day? Tell yourself, even before your feet hit the floor that your day will go well and you expect the best possible outcome for anything you face that day.
NOW get out of bed. You will be getting out of the RIGHT side of the bed because your attitude and focus will be one of gratitude and the goods things in your life.
I challenge you to try this for a week and see the great results in your life.
Be sure to email me with your good reports.
Mari Mitchell Porter, CPC
