When I was a little girl I used to get so excited when my mom planned a trip to the mall.
I’d write on my huge wall calendar and countdown the days (and my dollars) until we could set foot inside. I loved the smell of fresh baked cookies, the click-clack of heels on linoleum flooring and the splash of the art-deco inspired water fountains. (Remember those?!)
Unlike other little girls, my obsession wasn’t with clothing or shoes.
It was with books.
While a trip to the mall was an adventure itself, the possibility of endless adventures from a brand new book was far more exciting.
When life became too busy for my mom raising three girls, sometimes the trips I so longed for had to be canceled.
Devastation and pouting ensued.
I was not a child who could easily adapt.
As the oldest and leader child, I was pretty set in my ways.
Once plans were made, in my mind they were going to happen!
End of story.
Adapting As an Adult
As a new mom, now I know how challenging that must have been to organize a trip to the mall with three little girls. (Who am I kidding? That sounds INSANE!)
But, for some reason even as an adult I still get so upset at the change of plans.
After a particularly hectic week of canceled plans with my own family, feelings of devastation came bubbling back up.
(You may not believe it unless you saw it, but pouting was also part of the mix. )
It’s something that I’m not proud of, and the ability to adapt is a virtue I’m discovering more and more adults lack, myself included.
Why is it so hard to keep calm when plans fall through? Everyday can’t have a perfect agenda to follow- thats unrealistic.
Typically, when life gets hectic and plans change it helps to count my blessings and appreciate the good in the day.
Instead of whining inside my head, “Why can’t we just get in the car and go do this thing?!?!?” I try to think of all the good that has happened recently. Or, gain some perspective, find space and know that it will pass.
Energy Feeds Those Around You
It’s easy to get pulled down into the THIS REALLY SUCKS frame of mind. When you do that though, you affect the people around you and make them feel sucky too- even if it’s not their fault situations changed.
My roommate and best friend Liz always used to remind me of this as a twenty-something living in Washington, DC.
Whether you realize it or not, our energies affect those around us.
This was news to me. I thought, “Seriously, who cares if I’m in a good mood or not? It’s my mood people!”
If you’re negative or feeling down and disappointed, those around you will too.
The icky energy seeps from you out to people close by, almost like a toxic cloud.
Take notice the next time at work or when in another group setting. You’ll see overly negative or positive energy rubbing off on others.
Unless you live in a vacuum, undoubtedly you will be surrounded by people who impact daily decisions and plans.
Most likely these are people who love you to bits, so it’s best to love them right back and appreciate the shit out of them.
Give hugs or high-fives instead of getting disappointed. 
Laughter helps a bunch too.
Little kid laughter is like crack and in my opinion helps boost disappointments by 1000%.
Watch this video and you’ll agree.
Appreciating + Adapting
After last week’s misery I’m making a vow to be more open to change and stop pouting when plans go awry.
Appreciation is the key to life at times.
And just for fun, here are just a few things in my mental gratitude list:
- Sunshine
- Sisters (especially when they live down the street!)
- Traveling
- Organic foods
- Regular trips to the gym
- The ability to balance all of my career and community interests
- Meeting people doing things to change the world
- My better half
Remember, things don’t always the way you plan, especially as a parent or a business owner.
Life happens instead and that is pretty amazing when you stop and think about it.
Photo uploaded to Flickr Creative Commons.
