Lately, I've been hearing the saying, "When it rains, it pours," in reference to basically getting demolished by Life. One really unfortunate thing happens to you, then another, then another, until eventually you're just like, "Hey Life, want to chill?" and Life is like, "You've had it too good for too long." This is a real conversation I have with Life pretty much every other week. Having a "bad day" is not really a thing anymore, because it seems like a "bad day" is more often than not several bad days, or a bad week even. I had one of these weeks that I like to refer to as "LOL" weeks, because when you think about everything that went wrong during the week, all you can really do is laugh. It sounds morbid, I know, but laughing through the pain is a real talent of mine.
I recognize that I live an extremely privileged life. I have my health, my friends, my family, and I go to the best school on the planet. However, I still have days that make me want to curl up in bed in the fetal position and listen to Sarah McLachlan's "Angel" for 24 hours. It happens. However, after my "LOL" week not too long ago, instead of polishing off a sleeve of Oreo's and crying into my Pillow Pet, I decided to try something different. I took all of my negative experiences, and tried to turn them into something positive. This involves coming to the realization that there are simply some things you just can't change. There are going to be things that happen in your life that seem horrible and unfair, but may be way outside of your control. On the flip side of that, thinking about how you can change the bad or make it better gives you something to aspire to and eventually accomplish. Rather than accepting the bad in life and letting it ruin you, try hard to look on the bright side. It's harder than it sounds, but is an incredibly valuable skill once you've mastered it. Something positive can be learned from every negative. I hate to hit you with a Harry Potter quote, but I don't hate hitting you with a Harry Potter quote. As Dumbledore once said, "Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light." Dumbeldore is wise as hell, so I'd listen to him if I were you.
Not too long ago, one of my very, very wise friends (not Dumbledore, unfortunately) told me,"Madi, there is no such thing as bad days, just bad moments." I keep that in the back of my mind after I've had what I consider a "bad day." It's true. If you think about any bad day you've had, there's a series of bad moments, but there are certainly some good times in between. Whether it be that you saw a friend you hadn't seen in a while, or that the dining hall was serving your favorite dessert, or that your professor told you that you were doing well in class, it makes a difference. Unfortunately, the small, pleasant moments don't stand out as much as the big, unpleasant ones. Looking on the lighter side of life is a much happier way to live. Don't let Life get you down, because at the end of the day we're all playing the same game. You aren't alone in thinking that "When it rains, it pours," because sometimes that's true. Take a moment to dance in the rain and take pictures of the rainbow that follows for your SnapStory. (Get it? Because everyone loves a good natural phenomenon to share with their friends. Sorry.) Love Life, and Life will love you right back! Remember: there are no bad days, just bad moments. Cheers to being happy.
