I’ve discovered that some of my worst days are the days that I learn the most about life. This week I had a TERRIBLE day, but I look back and there was so much good in it.

Thursday morning I woke up to my alarm going off at 5:30 am. I hit the snooze and rolled over. I had only gotten 3 hours of sleep because I was up late talking to a friend about my future. After finally surrendering to the morning I crawled out of bed and into the shower. There had been a snow day the previous day, which made getting ready for school even harder.

I sat in the kitchen sipping my coffee knowing it was going to be a long day. I had an extra 10 or so minutes before I had to leave so I grabbed my guitar and played through a couple songs. As I was pulling my guitar I winced in pain as I smacked my head against the body of the guitar. I’m not quite sure how, but it really hurt and I grew frustrated with the day. I gathered my belongs and headed out to my car.

I neglected to account for the time it would take to un-bury my car from the snow. I started by taking the scraper but realized it wouldn’t make a dent in the foot of snow surrounding all sides of my car. I grabbed a shovel and started to shovel it out. Being only 5' 2 3/8" I struggled trying to reach the snow on top of my Ford Escape. My hands were starting to freeze because I forgot my gloves were in my car. I threw the shovel in anger knowing I would be late for school. I pulled out of my driveway to the snow-covered road frustrated because I was already running late. I pulled into the parking lot trying to find a parking place and finally found one in the farthest corner of the lot. I rushed into the school in a fluster. Right as I walked in I was met by one of the special needs students. He waved and I waved back. The next thing that happened changed my entire outlook on the day. He grabbed my hand and just held it. I started to panic inside because he was a very large guy and I didn’t know what he would do. My once frustrated morning was now halted as I tried to lightly pull my hand away. Thankfully, the teacher shortly came and told him to let go and head to class.

I continued on my way to homeroom, sneaking in late. I wanted to tell everyone what had just happened, but decided against it because I didn’t want them to think it was weird. Something about the experience lightened my heart. It made me realize that “bad days” are just a choice. We have the opportunity to make “bad days” “good days” just with a change of mindset. If we focus on the bad that has happened obviously we will concur it is a “bad day.” The same is about “good days,” we can focus on the good things in life and that will make each day a “good day.” This, of course, wasn’t something I learned until after my terrible day. I continued to have a bad day I was pushed around in the halls, I dropped all my books and note books across the floor, I was sick and tired, etc. I look back now realizing I was the one making myself miserable, just a change in mindset would have changed my entire day.