“You have the same amount of hours in a day as Beyonce” a coffee mug shouted at me from the shop window of Brick & Mortar Living a few weeks ago.
I have to admit, my first thought upon reading the mug’s message was the grammar was off; I desperately wished I could wave a wand and change the word ‘amount’ to ‘number’. (My husband is shaking his head while reading this and saying, “Don’t be that person.” I know he is, because when I told him my reaction to the mug he shook his head and said, “Don’t be that person.”)
After being tripped up by the grammar, I read the quote again and felt a mixture of: motivation, celebration, amusement and curiosity. I was motivated by the simple reminder to use the hours we have wisely. I felt like dancing (maybe not quite like Queen Bey) because I felt content about what I was accomplishing on any given day with the children, my work and the other bits that make up my life. The amusement came from the way the author pieced this message together, figuring it would be a great start to someone’s day as they sipped their morning coffee. Curious…because I wondered how others would react.
What I’ve come to know from working in the blogosphere is that one situation can trigger a multitude of reactions. And the humans to which those emotional responses are attached can get very verbal. You can read my thoughts on public shaming here. That’s not the point of this post.
The point is: the way you react to this quote, or anything, speaks volumes. And that’s a good thing, if you’re willing to listen to what your emotions are trying to tell you. Whether you feel resentment (“Of course Beyonce can do what she does – she has all the money in the world”), encouragement (“If she can reach her dreams, I can too!”), jealousy (“I am not even close to where I want to be in life”) etc – these feelings are like THE SIGN you wish for to give you direction. There is no good or bad emotional response, but the way you follow through will determine whether something that’s being handed to you is a gift or an obstacle. You get to decide.
If your reaction hovers around what might be perceived as the negative end of the emotional spectrum, then just ask yourself, “Why am I feeling this way?” and follow that up with “What can I do about it?” Unless you want to be a singer/songwriter/performer/superstar (like really want to) then you don’t actually want the lifestyle that Beyonce has. But if after reading that coffee mug quote you are thinking, “I haven’t accomplished any of my dreams,” then work with that.
Or you can stew in it. Your choice.
I love the idea that I can be in a crappy mood and it can turn into something positive if I am willing to take a step back into that ‘perspective’ zone. This is neither easy nor instantaneous. But I am convinced it is the healthier road.
Now go on – enjoy the hours in your day 🙂
P.S. If you have ever been to New Westminster and not visited this store, you need to make it a point to do so next time. If you have been to New West and stepped through their doors, I don’t need to tell you to go back – you already have that noted! Check out their Facebook page here and see all the pretty things that dwelleth within!
P.P.S. A fond farewell to a great poet, the beautiful Maya Angelou, who passed away at the age of 86. She leaves quite a legacy. She recites a favourite poem here.
