Is it "one of those days?"

We all have 'em. Those days when you wake up Feeling like you have been sucked of all motivation and just want to stay in bed. But then again you don't want to do that, because that would waste the day. But then again you don't want to get up because, well, you just don't want to! You finally convince yourself to get up, and it seems like the world is out to get you. Even the tiniest thing could set you off, the dog barking, the computer running slow, kids squabbling, the list could go on FOREVER! You either feel depressed, angry or just low on energy, and you may not even know why, Maybe something happened to put the day like that, or maybe you just woke up on the wrong side of the bed. Either way, it's a bad day. Luckily, I didn't have one of them today :) but I have had em before, just like everyone else. So for all those days where taking a deep breath isn't enough, here is what I sometimes do. Keep in mind, you will probably not "want" to do any of them, because you would rather stay in bed. But non the less, they sometimes help me, even if I don't realize it.

Heres what I find to be the "Do's"

1.) do something you are good at.
This one seems to help me the most, even though I usually want to do it the least. Usually for me it's drawing something, or picking up a project I've been working on, writing a poem or playing music on my Violin. Not always cheery sounding music at first, but once I get the sad emotions out, by the time I'm done I'm usually playing "the battle hymn of the republic" in an upbeat tone, probably playing faster than its supposed to be played, adding in a few fancy extra notes and enjoying myself, even though I've never had a violin lesson in my life, and my Bowing is probably crooked, I'm probably not holding the violin right, and some of the notes are squeaky or raspy as can be! Now I've really gone and got off track ROFLOL! (actually just writing about that made me feel good!)

2.) Climb a tree and read a book.
Ok, ok, you don't have to actually climb a tree LOL (sometimes I do though, sit in a tree and read :) )
This helps me a little when I'm in a really depressed mood. Read a book that you really enjoy, even if it's for a younger age group. When you are done reading for a while, you might still feel "blah". it might help take the "sharp pain" but the "dull pain" might still be there if you know what I
mean.

3.) Pray
You don't necessarily even have to pray about the thing that's bothering you. You can, by all means pray for God to give you strength, patience, help you with this burden, ask for guidance, etc. But you could also just pray about something unrelated to your bad day. Maybe a prayer for a family member or friend, maybe thanks and praise. One thing in must warn though. I think (though I'm not positive) that if you Only pray when you are upset, then praying may trigger upset. (like a pavlov's dog response) so really you should pray at all times, happy sad, so-so, etc, but that's a different topic.

And here are the "Donts"

1.) Sit around and do nothing at all.
Even though it's the very thing you want to do the most, i think it makes it worse (even though I often do it )
The way I look at it is like Tea. Your mind is the teacup. The problem is the tea bag. The longer you let the tea bag sit in the teacup, just brewing there, the stronger the tea is going to taste. This is nothing against strong tea (I rather like it actually) its just the only good example I could come up with ;)

2.) Totally give up hope.
Don't do it! Where ever you are, whatever is wrong, when ever it happened, however it happened, who ever you are, as long as you are alive, there is hope. Even if it doesn't feel like there is. Put your trust in God, and take heart knowing that there is hope, and dwelling on whatever the issue is going to make it worse.

3.) try doing something you are not very good at.

Oh yeah, this one gets me alot!
Course, sometime you have to, but sometimes you can avoid it.
Example: Maggie is not the best at walking on a leash yet, she is getting there, but I'm not the best trainer in the world. So, almost every morning a take her for a walk, and when im in a bad mood, and she starts straying in front or something, Snap! There goes my last bit if patience. Goodbye, my last bit of sanity! (bit of exaggeration…………maybe. ;) ) the whole walk turns into a bad experience for us both!
It's true, you have to get your dog exercise, and If you don't want your arm pulled off, you have to train em too. But maybe in those days I should just take her out in the backyard and play fetch. If its something you have to do, try doing it a "less strict"way. Or if possible, try one of the Do's. If you can't do either, then At least try to look at it a different way or calm down.

Keep in mind that everyone's minds are different. What works for me, may not work for you, and vice versa. But it's worth a shot if it means you might have a chance of fixing the rest of the day and not being in misery. :)