Lord, Forgive Me When I Whine!
When you awake in the morning, does your mind travel down “I Don’t Have… Avenue” or “I Have Gratitude Road?” Focusing on what you don’t have depresses your mood and motivation. Focusing genuinely on what you do have ignites a positive mood, which inspires you to live your own life and calls forth opportunities.
CHOOSE YOUR MOOD?
Who’s in charge of your mood, them or you? Which way today will you choose to allow your Mood Winds to blow?
Here’s a mood-changing poem from A Better Way to Live, by Og Madino, which has the power to change your mood from misery and blame to happiness and acclaim.
Today, upon a bus, I saw a lovely girl with golden hair, I envied her…she seemed so gay…and wished I were as fair. When suddenly she rose to leave, I saw her hobble down the aisle; She had one leg and wore a crutch; But as she passed…a smile! Oh, God forgive me when I whine, I have two legs. The world is mine!
I stopped to buy some candy. The lad who sold it had such charm. I talked with him He seemed so glad. If I were late ‘twould do no harm. And as I left he said to me, “I thank you. You have been so kind. It’s nice to talk with folks like you. You see,” he said, “I’m blind.” Oh, God, forgive me when I whine, I have two eyes. The world is mine.
Later, while walking down the street, I saw a child with eyes of blue. He stood and watched the others play. He did not know what to do. I stopped a moment, then I said, “Why don’t you join the others, dear?” He looked ahead without a word, and then I knew he could not hear. Oh, God forgive me when I whine. I have two ears. The world is mine.
With feet to take me where I’d go, with eyes to see the sunset’s glow, With ears to hear what I would know…Oh, God forgive me when I whine. I’m blessed indeed. The world is mine.
Author Unknown
DRIVING DOWN GRATITUDE ROAD
Are you torturing or guilting yourself today because you’re not taking charge of changing your mood? Do you make your bad moods worse by driving your blue Empathizer car or burnt orange Instigator car down “I Don’t Have…Avenue?” thereby kicking yourself when you’re down?
ABOUT “IT’S NOT ME, IT’S THEM…” MOOD MANAGEMENT PROGRAM LEADER
As developer of the TALK2ME© Communication System, Dr. O’Grady has an in-depth understanding of the complexities of communication of mood and a proven system to unravel the mystery. He is Past President of the Dayton Psychological Association, and founder of New Insights Communication. You can reach Dr. Dennis O’Grady directly at (937) 428-0724.