I think one of the most annoying things to deal with is having your kids spout back everything you've told them when you're not in the mood for positive thinking.
It's a trap. You see, what's easy to see is that other people need to lighten up. But, if I'm having an ogress moment or two, it's for a good reason.
First of all, there are certain people who can trigger the inner ogre or ogress. It most cases, it's someone very close to you, say, someone you were even married to. While all is forgotten and forgiven, those triggers are still out there, sparking negativity. Be aware.
Second, it can be a delicious feeling when the "bad guy" offends you. You can feel all sorts of validation and self-justification. It feels so good, you don't want to let go, even if you're really only hurting yourself. A nationally-known marriage counselor told me that people can love that feeling so much, they prefer that to repairing their own marriage. I didn't get it at the time he told me, now it makes sense.
Third, then there are the "evil" companies out there that randomly wreck your life, say, by changing your airline reservations at the last minute to a new schedule you do not like. At all. That opens the opportunity to enjoy feeling oppressed by greedy capitalistic monsters. But it doesn't change your flight schedule.
Finally, the icing on the cake: you're grumbling about these obviously unfair things that are happening to you, and your children have the nerve to tell you to find the good side of things.
Offspring: Gee, Mom, now you're a real business woman, travelling to San Diego.
Mom (GRUMBLING): Yeah, but real business women don't have to pay their own way and fly all night in a crowded plane, for cryin' out loud.
Offspring: It'll be a great adventure for you. You'll have fun.
Mom (GRUMBLING): I probably won't even eat while I'm there.
Offspring: Great! You'll lose weight!
So, what's good for the readers is good for Mixonian. Back to you on Tuesday.
P.S. I added a new blogfriend today, "I will teach you how to be rich." Ramit is a financial expert and I know Mixonian readers are into wealth building. Enjoy.
