Here is a bitter, while simultaneously heartfelt, "thank you," to my bad days. While I can't express enough my disdain and utter hatred for your very existence, I'm thankful for you. No, I'm not joyous at your complete disregard for my feeling. I don't want to pat your back and have a beer with you. I don't want you to stay for long. And I do not want your big brother, Bad Year, to come and hang around. I do, however, recognize your utility and will strive to see each one of you that comes my way as an opportunity to learn something new and eat ice-cream for lunch.
1. You remind me that the world doesn't revolve around me.
Just because I'm having a bad day doesn't mean my coffee order should be made faster. It doesn't mean that I matter more than others. It doesn't mean I deserve more attention, love, pity, etc. than others.
2. You give me perspective.
Sometimes, to stop the melodrama, you remind me my struggles could be so much worse.While one anxious thought or hurtful comment may ruin my day, there are much harder things happening. http://charity.lovetoknow.com/Top_100_Charities. While what is making my bad day matters to me, it's important I try to understand it isn't the only thing that matters.
3. You made me grateful.
Without the complete disaster of a bad day, I may not recognize the amazing parts of tomorrow or the next day. You make me see, whether I like it or not, that the bad days only illuminate the good ones more.
4. You teach me patience.
Not only for my current circumstances but for those who may be in the same place as I am. Next time a friend, co-worker, or sibling reacts in a certain way, now I've been learning to think twice before reacting in anger. They may be experiencing a bad day, just like I am.
5. You add some needed humor.
What's the saying? Tragedy plus time equals comedy. As much as I wish everything in my life went smooth as butter, it's almost impossible to not recognize the humor in some bad days. Stuff happens. You learn from it, laugh about it, or let it ruin you.
6. You taught me that it's OK to not be OK.
Some days will be hard. Sometimes, there are real issues, real pain, and days that seem to never end. It's okay to recognize those things. It's healthy to face them head on and call them like you see them. As long as I don't let these days control me or spin me into a damaging spiral, it's okay to not be okay. It's okay to tell others that today is hard, to ask for help, and to admit that this day beat you into the ground.
Bad days are bad, it's true. They are also a gift, kind of like those really practical, not-super-fun Christmas gifts you get. You need a blender or a vacuum, but it's just not always the best to get.
