Friday, January 4, 2013

Moods and Mixed Messages

Well, I guess I'm having one of 'those' days.  I'm in a funky mood.  I think I have a tendency to run on my expectations ... always have, probably always will.  And, try as I may, I can't seem to shake that basic personality trait.  Here's how it goes:

Its going to be a great day.  I'm going to get lots done.  My relationships with friends and family are going to be wonderful.  Well, you get the picture.  And, its not even one thing can derail that simple set of expectations.  No, it is when a whole series of things happen that dump on my joy that I start to get in a 'mood.'

First of all, I let myself down because, I can never, ever get everything accomplished that is on my list.  I try to make shorter lists, to prioritize but, inevitably, something happens that throws my time frame completely off.  Its called life ... and I can usually deal with it.  Just move an item to tomorrow's list, right?

But, the thing that really causes me to get into a funk, is when people let me down.  Today, for example, I got blasted on Pinterest for repinning something I thought was humorous.  A total stranger decided to lecture me and the person that I pinned it from on why it wasn't funny.  Okay, I can see her point but, seriously people, if you don't agree with something on a completely public forum, just ignore it.  Don't become the P.C. police.  You cannot assume that the person you are lecturing is just a bad character.  I try never to put something out there that would cause another person pain.  So, you say, that is a perfect stranger, why do you care?  I shouldn't, I know.  And I usually don't.  Today though, it got to me a little.

On a more personal front, it hurts when someone I consider a friend does things that seem to be deliberately hurtful.  Its that stealth hurtfulness that comes when someone's actions don't line up with their words.  Don't tell someone that you are a dear friend and then treat them like they aren't important to you.  Just don't do it.  I recently read something that really resonated with me.  It went something like this (I'm paraphrasing because I'm too lazy to go look it up.):  Respect someone who is willing to make room in their schedule for you; Love someone who forgets all about their schedule when you need them.  No truer words were ever spoken.

So, the thing I struggle with is that mixed message ... that verbal message being reiterated that someone is a friend and then the actions that speak way louder that say that something else is going on.  And just to clarify, this isn't about having time ... people do get busy ... this is a more blatant kind of treatment that is borderline rude.  Even given that I can have high expectations and/or be sensitive, there are just times that you know that the way you are being treated is wrong.  And, that's why I'm in a funk.

The best thing about my personality though is that I'm quick to bounce back.  I tend to shake it off and dive right back into my optimistic side.  Not always but, most of the time, I can move forward and find the positives in life.  So, guess I'll go do that  ... now, where is that list?