"Make it a Good Day"

After expecting a rude wake up call, my Monday morning alarm came at just the right time. I had a restful, gluttonous Thanksgiving break and was ready to head back to school (did I just say that?!), or what's left of it. That's right, we have a mere two and a half weeks left of traditions, finals, and christmas presents! When asked how I was going to bear being away from home again, I told some family friends that Cottey fall semesters were like big naps before a great party! Though sometimes it was really hard to manage, school has indeed gone by fast and believe it or not this is the slow part of the school year :) So, as I was saying, I jumped out of bed this morning, past my snoozing roommate and headed to class. What was going on? Usually mornings consisted of cold floors, aching muscles, and a nasty red spotty complexion. However, none of this occurred to me this morning. After some depressing days these past two months, I came to the conclusion that to feel better, all my life's problems would just work out miraculously and I shouldn't have to work at feeling better. After all, I didn't work to feel sad, did I?

Over Thanksgiving break, I stayed at someone else's house and, since I wanted to made a favorable impression on them, I made my bed every morning. It was a little extra work but I thought it would make a difference. I also laid out my clothes the night before and tidied up every night so the room would be clean every morning. Again, it was a little extra work but I thought it would make a difference. Every morning I awoke knowing what I would be wearing and had a clean room to change in. It was truly a nice feeling; this sense of order so early in the morning. If my morning could be smooth, why couldn't my emotions be? I lived nearly a week with smiles to show my hosts that I was enjoying myself. It didn't matter whether I was happy or not; I smiled. The strange thing is that I don't think anyone noticed how my clothes were perfectly matched, or how my bed was neat. I noticed and it made a huge difference. Those morning routines were pulling me out of my homesick blues and my stress about life after Cottey. When I thought about cleaning up a room for another, I helped myself. It was a funny feeling....this helping others feeling!

So, today after waking up with a spring in my step, I walked to Woods Supermarket and bought a half gallon of orange juice. The woman checking me out told me to "make it a good day." In my own life, I believe everything happens for a reason. This was no exception. It was perhaps one of the best things I've heard in a supermarket! Too often, I expect to just HAVE a nice day. Is it possible that I can waltz through a day without having to put forth effort to make it nice? It was silly to think that I could exert no effort and await happiness instead of merely making it. Everyone's happiness is a little different. A dog doesn't need to work at happiness. He feels it every moment. Some of my friends are like this. I think, for the time being, I will work to make my happiness in new, novel ways. Who knew that I could extract so much joy and satisfaction from a made bed or a fresh change of clothes in the morning? I didn't until I did it for someone else. My dad says that love is so wonderful because it makes us selfless beings; devoted to another. Maybe, for the time being, I can be devoted to others. Maybe a warm coca for a Cottey girl? An anonymous thank you letter to a teacher? Perhaps I can spend some time silently bettering myself for the benefit of others. And what better time for random acts of kindness than the Christmas season...