Wednesday, June 23, 2010

It's My Party

It's an old song and I don't know the title or the artist or the context, but I do remember these lines:

"It's my party and I'll cry if I want to."

I'm not sure what brought those words to mind recently. It's an interesting statement -- especially if you remember that parties are suppose to be happy occasions. Why would you want to cry at a party? Better yet, why would you want to cry at all? That's not to say that there aren't times when a good cry does wonders. My take on those lines is that more than a choice to cry, it is a choice to be unhappy.

Confession. As much as I would like to be an optimist, I am a pessimist at heart. I am more likely to tell you why something won't work than why it can. My glass is half empty. My worries get the best of me and dictate how I feel.

I don't think it is 100% a choice. Biology and circumstances do impact us. But what if 50% were a choice? What if only 30% were a choice? What if only 10% were a choice? I wonder going into today that even if a fraction of my mood were a choice and I exercised the choice to choose to be happy and if not completely happy -- content -- how would that impact my day? How would it impact my relationships or my circumstances? My guess is I might feel even just a little bit less stressed.

I am writing this at 6:20 AM. It's not unusual for me to be headed out in next 30 minutes or so. What is unusual is that I'm finishing up 2 loads of laundry. So, I've been up for a while. I don't have kids, but I do have pets. I was awoken this morning by one of my dear ones retching on the bed. So, the sheets needed to be washed as well as a large blanket. No, it's not my idea of a great way to wake up and I was pretty frustrated. But I am going to choose to be an optimist today:

  • I have a bed.
  • I have 3 pets I wouldn't change for the world in spite of making me need to do laundry.
  • I have a washing machine and dryer in my house.
  • I have a house.
  • I have a job.
  • While I don't have everything I want, I do have what I need.
  • I live in a country that affords me a host of freedoms.
  • I have Jesus.
It's my party and I choose today to be happy.


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3 comments:

E. Tyler Rowan said...

I'm not 100% certain, but I think it's by Cyndie Lauper (she also did "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun").

Dog barf is not the most pleasant thing to wake up to. I pray that your day gets much better!

Anonymous said...

Good morning! I got to your blog from Lysa's this morning.

"It's my party and I choose today to be happy." - I love this!!! I, on another note, I am a pretty optimistic person but I do have my days that I just wanna cry - because it's my party and I'll cry if I want to! :) Thank you for reminding us that we have a choice. This is the day that the Lord has made, I WILL rejoice and be glad in it!

Joyful said...

Love how your heart made the turn-around Amy. You sound pretty optimistic to me!

How are you? Haven't connected in awhile. I'm busily preparing for my trip South in four weeks. Traveling on to Sunset Beach after the conference for a little holiday as well.

Blessings to you Amy,
Joy