No matter what happens, make it beautiful. This is one of my internal mantras. When things are not going my way and I feel my ego bucking against my circumstances, I remind myself to make it beautiful. This little saying is, of course, similar to the "when life gives you lemons, make lemonade" expression. It helps me to shift my thinking so that I can remain focused and productive despite less-than-ideal situations.
With this mentality, it is easier for me to have a good day. I create my own weather, in other words. I do not approach my day expecting it to meet my needs and expectations. Rather, I approach my day with the confidence that I can "arrange the pieces life gives me" as Virginia Woolf said.
This is not mere happy talk. I applied this even when I was laid off. Yes, I was laid off amidst the worst recession of my lifetime. The clinic at which I worked shut down just recently. Strangely, a year ago (when I started) I was told the company was recession-proof. The recruiter used that exact expression, recession-proof. After being laid off, I made a conscious decision to make it beautiful. I was not hurt or sad. I operated under the assumption I could not only find a new job but I could find one I love. During my time off, I arose between 7 and 8 am each morning. I maintained a daily schedule. Here are some of the things I did during that time off:
- Immediately cancelled my cable so that I could save money and distance myself from the woe-is-our-economy newsfests
- Learned new songs on my piano and clarinet
- Practiced my ukulele to my heart's content
- Started a recycling system at home
- Started this blog
- Experimented with some new cooking recipes
- Discovered how resourceful my local libraries are
- Trimmed several unnecessary expenses from my budget
When I was unemployed, I had plenty of good reasons to freak out. I am alone in a new town where I know hardly anyone. I had been here (from California) for only 10 months at the point of my lay off. I did not see the value in freaking out, however. I chose to set a positive intention to find a great job. Guess what happened? After being unemployed for only a month, I received a job offer at an awesome company that better fits my personality and skill set than my previous company.
The moral of the story? When your circumstance is less than ideal, choose to make it beautiful.
Copyright (c) 2009 by Quandra T. McGrue
I love it!!! What a clean, clear, and inspiring perspective (not to mention a beautiful writing style!). Thanks for your thoughtful insight and willingness to share with us this pearl of wisdom. And congrats on the great new job!
ReplyDeleteWhoa, thanks so much for the kind words J.Saadiq (I love your name by the way). I don't know if I responded to this via email or what, but I can't believe I didn't comment in response. Honestly, I'm just glad when someone other than me reads my posts:-) Thanks so much....
ReplyDeleteWow! This fell before my eyes on purpose and I appreciate it. Thank you for your light. I intend to make every conscious effort to "make it beautiful" from this day forward.
ReplyDeleteYolanda, thanks so much for your comment:-)
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