After waking up early this morning, I was immediately confronted with two discouraging pieces of information: a text about a dear friend who is in the middle of a very serious health crisis and an online note from someone who was upset about something that I did.
I had been so excited about a new week (yes, I’m one of those weird people who actually really likes Mondays!), but both of these things with the first 15 minutes of waking up were enough to make me want to crawl straight back into bed.
In that moment, I realized I had a choice: I could let these circumstances steal my joy or I could choose a cheerful attitude in spite of discouragement.
I decided the latter was a much better option! So I chose to make a yummy breakfast (I woke up so hungry!), notice and appreciate the beautiful flowers Jesse bought as a welcome home gift when I got back from Dallas yesterday, savor my cup of coffee, and pray about these situations in my life that are outside my control.
Maybe your Monday has gotten off to a rough start, too? Don’t let it ruin your day. Stop right now and choose to approach the rest of the day noticing the good, choosing a cheerful attitude, and not stressing over things you can’t change or control.
Monday, we’re not just going to survive you; we’re going to ROCK you with a great attitude! 😉
Guest says
I would love to know what you do to occupy your time while you travel. I used to travel extensively for work but now when I have to travel alone I miss my family so, so much. Any tips for how you spend the time you aren’t working?
Crystal Paine says
I usually don’t have much time to do more than eat, sleep, blog, and speak/be at the event. I do usually get some extra work and reading in on the plane, but once I’m at the event, I rarely have extra time — usually there are meetings and dinners and other responsibilities when I’m not on stage (if it’s a speaking event) and often any extra time is spent blogging and hanging out with people I know or with whoever from my team has traveled with me.
Susan says
You always seem so upbeat and positive. I appreciate your honesty lately about how you have been affected by negative comments/emails from people. I kept thinking “She is amazing. Nothing bothers her!” Your candidness about these situations makes me feel less isolated with regard to negative people.
rebecca says
Thanks for being real! I have been thinking about you and how by sharing your year of rest and books on periscope you have really been an encouragement to me. I love how God is using you!! Even your yucky Monday mornings are an encouragement to others. Keep rocking and sharing. I can see I’m not the only one that appreciates it! Oh did you check out the Chewbacca video for a good laugh? The woman was on the morning show and wow, it was pretty cool! She said how it came about along with the joy it brought to others.
Hugs, Rebecca
Crystal Paine says
Thank you so much for your encouragement! And I LOVED that video!!
Aimee says
It’s good to know I’m not alone! My Monday began with lots of laundry and a sick baby throwing up all over her car seat. When a day starts out this way I usually remind myself it can only get better. ?
Crystal Paine says
I’m SO sorry! Ugh!
Jessica says
Um, yup. My Monday started Saturday afternoon!! We took a short road trip to Troy, Ohio, to go to a fiber festival. My husband took the kids to watch the horses and then to a park. We met up and went to another park. There, my 5 year old son slipped on some mud and fell and hit the back of his head- hard- on concrete.
He was crying and I checked his head for injuries and saw NITS IN HIS HAIR! 🙁 So we headed straight home to start head lice treatments. I removed 80 from his hair Saturday with the comb. I removed one more yesterday. And there were 0 today. I will be combing his hair for 2 weeks and we have to head check everybody. I’m laundering his shirts, towels and pillowcase daily separately from anyone else’s things. I alerted the other parents in his class to check their kids and asked the teacher to remind the kids to zip their coats inside their backpacks because they have to share cubbies.
Crystal Paine says
Oh my goodness! I am SO sorry!! 🙁
Leanne says
you are so brave! I had a blog a long time ago and stopped writing it because people just comment– a lot– with no filter…. you have such courage to keep telling your readers not to let others’ opinions steal our joy or our missions! thank you!! btw… your breakfast looks so yummy! I think if I had your morning, I probably would have had a bowl of m&m’s!!
Crystal Paine says
Now you’re making me hungry for M&M’s! 🙂
Kacy says
Amen Sister!
Kristin says
Tears in my eyes I needed this reminder SO much today! Thanks for the boost and for doing what you do!:)
Crystal Paine says
{Hugs!} I’m so glad it was an encouragement to you!
Tosha says
Thank you for the reminder. 3 of my 4 children are in “crisis” mode this morning, and we can’t go outside to run it off. I needed the reminder to just plug along and not let it get to ME.
Crystal Paine says
{Hugs!} I’m so sorry! You’re going to make it!
Kariane says
I love this! Indeed, we can find joy if we look for it.
I wrote about this last week: http://everydayintentionalliving.com/thought-day-rumi/
Krystal @ Little Light on a Hill says
Oh my word! This was such perfect timing for me to read!!! Thank you for posting and reminding us to choose to be grateful. God’s got this! 😉
Crystal Paine says
I’m so glad it was an encouragement!
Bren says
Thanks, I needed that.
Crystal Paine says
{Hugs!}
Darcie says
Way to go Crystal!! Thanks for sharing. It is all about our attitude and our choice on what we will focus on. Thanks for the reminder
Crystal Paine says
You’re so welcome!
Kristen says
Thank you for this! It is just what I needed to read this morning after a rough start to the day 🙂
Maureen @Raising The Capable Student says
It’s never too late (or too early) in the day to stop and adjust our outlook and attitude! Thank you for the reminder.