Wednesday, June 18, 2008

How To Get Through A Bad Day

Sometimes it’s all we can do to get through a bad day. Don’t try to think about it, change it, or accomplish something in spite of it. Just survive. On some days that’s the best defense we have, but maybe there’s a way we can use those bad days to redeem some of the other bad days we all encounter from time to time. Remember that series of bad days you went through a few months ago? What couldn't you process at the time? Is there anything you’re perhaps more prepared to acknowledge now, some insight that might be useful as you face another patch of bad days?
Here are thirteen things I’ve learned or found useful in bad days. I hope they will get me through some more.

  • Music is healing. Listen to music.
  • Psalm 121
  • Art being what it is, it is beautiful and valuable. Treat people like art.
  • This is important.
  • Sometimes you just need a Kleenex.
  • Chocolate given by others in times of stress tastes better.
  • Books are healing. Read books.
  • Helping someone else with a bad day helps you with your own.
  • There’s no such thing as “at least” when it comes to loss.
  • There’s stuff inside you that you don’t know is there. When you need it, you’ll find it.
  • If you can’t find it, go watch Rocky Balboa.
  • This is also important.
  • Creativity counters the destructive things in our lives. Go be creative.

18 comments:

Chelle Y. said...

I love Psalm 121!

Anonymous said...

Psalm 121... and reading... the best cures.

Michelle said...

Great TT. So true about chocolate and music. It always makes me feel better when I've had a bad day.

SandyCarlson said...

Going for a walk and thinking through a Psalm or two always helps me. This is a great list.

Anonymous said...

Great ideas! I use many of them to get through difficult situations and days.

Happy TT!

Melli said...

PRAISE music is best of all!
Psalm 121 is great - my personal favorite is Psalm 51 - but where the Psalms are concerned, they are ALL beneficial - on different days for different circumstances.

I hope today was NOT one of the bad days -- but if it was, I pray tomorrow is better!

Carol said...

Some very, very good ones on this list! Good T-13!

MotherBunker said...

What great thoughts ... I especially agree with the chocolate tidbit :)

Kristi said...

Nice list. I love the veggie tales silly songs on your music list on your sidebar. We were listening to them in the car today and I've had Cheeseburger in my head all night, even through our hand bell rehearsal. Happy T13.

Anonymous said...

Wonderful list. I wish more people understood about "at least" and loss.

SJ Reidhead said...

I've learned to just deal with it. My lesson of the week is when people do petty, nasty things, maybe we'd better pray for them. It helped the bad day.

SJR
The Pink Flamingo
http://thepinkflamingo.blogharbor.com/blog/_archives/2008/6/18/3751571.html

kay said...

What a very good list--for a bad day---or any day! Thank you for shring it.

Anonymous said...

Great list. We should all keep such a list for ourselves to remember that though we believe we are having a bad day we need them in order to be thankful for the good ones.

Happy TT.

Hootin Anni said...

Very profound!

I think music is good for the soul, no matter if it's been a bad day or a good day.

My 13 is posted, come join me?
Happy Thursday.

marcia@joyismygoal said...

walking and scriptures and a good friend are the best for me

Tammy said...

I'm sure all would help on a bad day. Great TT

Denise Patrick said...

What a great and inspirational list. Chocolate and music can soothe some of the worst hurts, but prayer is my best "hurt soother". Thanks for a thoughtful TT!

Dianne Adams said...

I love what you said about 'the gift of your presence'. This is so true. Sometimes all we can do is sit quietly and be there. Having also been the one in need, I'll never forget the ones that gave me that gift. Thank you for the reminder to make the effort to 'show up' for those that are in need of our presence. I enjoy your posts and appreciate your thoughts.