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Featured Article: Mama - You've been grumpy the last few days by Kandi A. White What mother likes to hear these words? My son said this to me on a few occasions in the morning when eating breakfast. Now my immediate response was to blame him for my grumpiness. I told him that if he did as I told him then I wouldn't be grumpy. I also said, if I always talk to you with the sweet loving voice you will never know when I'm serious or learn what is right and what is wrong. You'd be just like kids running around without any home training. You know kids are so honest, they tell you exactly what's on their minds. Don't think your child is not taking notice of your mood swings. After thinking about my reaction and my response I should have reacted differently and even asked for his forgiveness. When we really look at it, no one can cause us to be grumpy unless We allow them to. We are in control of our actions and our attitudes. Yes there are times when we are angry but how we handle the anger is what's important. I owe my son an apology because he was not the cause of my grumpiness. In fact when I reflect on one particular morning Tuesday, December 14th, 2004 there were a few things going on with me. I was tired from having a late night. I didn't get up early enough to have my time of meditation so my mind was not in its normal frame. I was thinking of all I had to get done in that hour and throughout the day. I was thinking of the next week instead of focusing on the moment. I neglected to consider others and was only thinking of myself. Some things I had ordered for Christmas presents hadn' arrived yet and I was worrying about that. So you see, my mind was a clutter. How many of us say to our children, do as I say and not as I do? What type of message was I sending to my son? My actions screamed so loud at him and what I said to him was even worse because I tried to put the blame on him. After reflecting on the moment I asked God for forgiveness and to show me how to love instead of blame. It was a learning experience and I know the next time he brings my grumpiness to the fore, I will handle the situation differently. Let's all during this month of February when love is in the air, think twice before we open our mouths and spew words that can never be taken back. Let us look at our busyness and our clutter and realise that they are not as important as spending time nurturing our children and loving our family and friends. Let us remember that no one can make us grumpy unless we let them and that there could be a better way of handling a situation. Let's listen to what our children have to say as they could teach us something or indeed make us realise just how imperfect we are. Let us look to God first who is the giver of all that is good and whose love for us never changes. Let’s ask God to strengthen us in our times of weakness and to help us in our times of clutter. And remember the next time you are grumpy, how you handle it is your choice. ================================================================= Kandi White is the author of Hours of Pure Gold, an ebook of Inspiration, Motivation, and Gratitude, a resource to help you find your true purpose in life. http://www.hoursofpuregold.com |
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