Friday was the last of my mini-challenges. Now, granted, this week was a little skewed because - let's face it - I can't be gloomy when in the company of my sisters. On Friday Kelli and I loaded up the kids and headed down to the Ben and Jerry's factory - about a 40 minute drive. The kids were in somewhat close quarters so, of course, there was whining coming from the back seat. I was driving, and Kelli was pulling out every trick in her 18-years-of-motherhood book, but to know avail. At one point it seemed we were going to be successful with the "I'm going to Ben and Jerry's and I am bringing something that begins with the letter A... etc." game, but it ended in hysterics at the letter D. Kelli and I just looked at each other and started laughing. There was nothing else to do. If I was on my own, I probably would have started yelling, but laughing worked out so much better. We were soon at our destination, and good times were had by all.
The same technique worked again on Saturday when I caught a certain child with crumbs down their front while insisting that it was their sibling that got into Katie's birthday cake while it was cooling. With a "Grr..." I went huffing downstairs when Kelli's daughter said, "Our Mom 'Grrs' at us too." And then once again we started to laugh. And then we realized that we get it from our mother and that at least one other sister also "Grrs" at their kids. Even though I was still annoyed about Katie's deformed cake, life moved on, Katie didn't care and I felt much happier having taken a moment to laugh.
Granted, it is a lot easier to laugh with someone. I'll have to try this challenge again when I am on my own. (Perhaps I should have tried it today when I was taking a screaming Jack out of Sacrament Meeting during a prayer. ... )
Overall, I feel much happier this week. I would say my mini-challenges were a success. I think it was a good way to kick-start a path to a happier mood. Every person has down times and good times, seasons of sorrow and seasons of joy. I don't mean to say that we can't or shouldn't feel down or sad sometimes. Sometimes the best thing is a good cry. It is great to know, however, that I have power within me to get myself out of a rut and to feel better.
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