Grumps

I'm grumpy because I have a double chin :)

A few days ago I was quite grumpy. I started the day off alright, but then as the day wore on I just started feeling sooooo grumpy. It didn't help that the thyroid medication I'm taking makes me feel so hot....so by 4pm I was hot AND burning with anger inside. I could not figure out why I was feeling so bad...but finally decided it had to do with the stress's of life... AND I had been reading a blog of a woman who is perfect. So, I think that's what was bugging me. Too much perfection from someone else, and I was jealous...and prideful. And I just let it bug me that I wasn't like that.

So I called my sister in law, Darci. She is this amazing, calm, spiritual steady girl who listened to me complain. I hardly let her talk at all. Ijust complained and expressed my grumpiness and she listened. It was exactly what I needed and it made me feel better. And then the next day she sent me this email. I loved it so much I had to share it.

Hey Shannon,
I'm sorry you had a grumpy day. Yesterday was a doozie for me. I woke up on the wrong side of the bed, at 5:30am. Grrr. I laid on the couch and tossed and turned trying not to wake anyone else. I remembered something from the Ensign I read Sunday. I hope this makes you laugh. On page 56 of the October issue is a statement about being happy. Here goes: "Learn how to act better than you feel. Some might ask, isn't that hypocritical? Certainly not. You might not be able to choose how you feel, but you can choose how you act." So I thought to myself that I'd better at least look happier, even if I wasn't. So I pasted on a fake smile for myself to practice. I imagine that I looked like one of those little troll dolls, unkempt hair, big plastic smile and kind of creepy. But next time, it can only improve. The kids figured out pretty quick that I was having a bad day. Nora even said, "Man, you're cranky today!" It's a good thing she can keep me in line when I forget my plastic smile.

Anyway, that woman you were talking about. Oh, she can have her shinning moment. But some day she will be the one who is crying. We all take our turn. Plus, who's to say her hair, kids and pie always turn out perfect. She can post just the best of days and look like a barbie mom. Wasn' it the great Nacho Libre that said, "Forget about it".

Maybe you have more burdens than you're giving yourself credit for my dear. I think 4 came up in conversation and I can think of 2 more big ones. So here is a quote about that: " It may not come quickly, but there is purpose in the time it takes...You will indeed find that 'his angels have charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up' (Matthew 4:6)... Cherish your spiritual burdens because God will converse with you through them and will use you to do his work if you will carry them well." - Elder Jeffrey R. Holland in "The Inconvenient Messiah" It makes me feel good every time I read that. Well, enough yapping, I gotta go do paperwork. I'd better get a big ole smile ready for that one.
Love ya, Darc

Thank you Darci for being a sweet friend and sister, and mostly for helping me through my grumpy day. I love you!

P.S. I do not hate the lady in the blog anymore.