School started this past week for some of my grandchildren in Virginia. I know it seems awfully early for us, but 180 days is 180 days, and they will be out by the end of May.
There were lots of significant changes for them, and I called to see how their first day went. As I talked to my granddaughter, she was telling me about her day and how one of the first things they did was have a “scavenger hunt” for other class mates. One of the assignments was to find two people who have two brothers. Gwen told me that she got confused and after she found one person with two brothers, she checked that box and went on to other assignments.
I used a standard reply: “If that’s the worst thing that happens to you, it’s been a good day!” She countered, “That wasn’t the worst thing!”
Curious, I asked what the worst thing was, and -without missing a beat – she replied: “There was no ‘worst thing!’ It was all good!”
I had two immediate thoughts: “What an amazing experience to go through a day and not have a “worst thing!” … to truly experience the day as being “all good!”
How many of us have something happen to us, or we do something that might be embarrassing and still report “It’s all good!”
Sure, we say that often enough. “It’s all good!” but is that how we are really feeling … or is that a hollow phrase we tell ourselves to help soothe the disappointment?
Certainly, responding with that phrase is a step in the right direction. It is certainly better than dwelling on what seemed not to be good. Some of you are familiar with the children’s book “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.” Some of us are Alexanders … we can list and catalogue all the experiences that aren’t good … all the “worst things” that happen to us.
As a second grader, I would have been horrified if I had made a mistake on a class assignment and that was brought to the attention of the entire class. (I still have a memory from second grade of being called out by the teacher!) But not Gwen! She wrote it off as simply being confused about the assignment and it was all part of a day that was “all good!”
Sometimes it takes a child to help us put life in perspective. Sometimes it takes a child to help us not take ourselves too seriously.
So, here’s the two-fold challenge for today:
- Let’s put our days in perspective and be committed to putting a “positive spin” on it. After all, if “God is good” and “God is everywhere,” then there is no place where good is not! Sometimes the good is obvious … and sometimes we really must look long and hard … but it is always there. The challenge is being committed and open to seeing it, to finding it!
- When we so quickly say, “It’s all good,” do a gut check. Is that how we feel deep inside? Is that what we our mind is telling us? If so … “Good” for us! If not, see #1.
You have an inner magnificence. Commit to seeing the good … in ALL things … every day!
You’ll feel good about being you … I promise!
