Earlier today I had a major melt down. I try really hard to be respectful of dissenting opinions and the concept that there are lots of ways of doing the same thing successfully. As a result, I work to include a diverse group of people in my circle but sometimes even that is not sufficient from handling a difficult situation so that the top of me head doesn't come off!
I posted a Facebook update asking for prayer, specifically prayer to stop me from physically harming another person, who was tapping on my last nerve. Now for those who don't know me personally...I would never-ever hurt another living creature but the feeling you get when someone just "takes you there". The posting to Facebook drew a lot of support from friends with positive messages of support and hang in there! Someone even said..."Thank you for confirming I am not alone in my own feelings"
After a brisk walk and a lunch time chat with co-workers, I realized I failed to do the one thing that has kept me sane for many years. During stressful academic or professional situations, I have been known to take a deep breathe, put it all in perspective and laugh. Yep, that's right...just laugh! Find something in the situation which makes me giggle or creates a full on "belly laugh".
I laugh even when I'm nervous but most importantly....I have the unique ability to laugh at "myself" under most circumstances. I don't take myself or situations too seriously...it's not worth it in the long run! A good friend, Heather, recommended I think about my upcoming Buzz Girls Retreat to Vegas. She is right...it worked!! But then I started thinking about my last Buzz Girls' event - the Must/Lust Fashion Show in honor of the DVD release of "Confessions of a Shopaholic". Once I saw my performance (as a must model) in the video on YouTube I had to laugh out loud...and that made me feel so much better. It immediately released any and all bad feelings.
So just find a reason to laugh today! And if you can't think of anything specific ...then laugh with me :-) be nice!
