If you had a choice to be grouchy, irritated, or annoying with nagging on someone vs. being sweet, upbeat, and a joy to be around, which would you choose?

Let’s be honest here.  No one enjoys someone who walks around mad at the world with a chip on their shoulders all the time.  Now, I’m not talking about someone who just had something bad happen to them where I’m expecting them to just be overjoyed with what just took place.  We’re all human, and we will all react the way we choose to react.  What I’m referring to is a spouse that is constantly in a bad mood morning, noon, and night.  No matter what, nothing is good enough or pleasing enough for them.  (Note:  I am not referring to my marriage, but one of my friends is going through this right this very minute!)

It’s difficult to sit by and watch this happening.  You offer support and encouragement, yet you hear day after day of this going on.

What I want to bring to light is that in this situation – as in all situations – the choice is YOURS on how you react or respond.  It’s up to you to decide if you are going to wallow in this hatred that you seem to carry around with you spewing harsh, accusatory words, OR if you’re going to be a ray of sunshine in someone’s life.

For me, I want to be that ray of sunshine.

I want others to look at me and smile because I’ve smiled at them!  I desire for my smile to be contagious enough that it goes immediately to their faces, too!

Honestly, I do not want people to remember me as a nag.  I don’t want people to look back at their time with me and think how much I brought them down.  Also, I don’t want to be the reason someone else ends up having a portion of their day ruined … all because of how I’ve lashed out at them or chose to behave.

When my feet hit the floor in the mornings, I want to greet the day with happiness inside my soul.  I want those around me to greet me with a smile and a hug, the same way I want to greet them.  Realizing not everyone is a morning person, no deep conversation is needed before coffee (or for me, warm lemon and honey water).  Just smile.  Hug.  Exchange pleasant “Good Mornings,” and let that be it until after a shower or after you feel awake enough to carry on a pleasant conversation.

What I’ve observed with my friend’s spouse is constant criticism, having their character attacked, and even accusing them of things the spouse has made up in their own minds.

STOP IT!

Just stop.

That’s what I want to say to them.

Life is too short for all of that, and in the end, it will torment you if you continue to choose to live your life this way.

There’s an argument about which takes more energy – being hateful or being a joy.  Truly, it doesn’t matter which takes more energy – think of which is more pleasant to be around.  A grouch, huffing and puffing throwing a temper tantrum?  Or a smiling face that beams with joy from the inside out?  I’ll take the latter of the two, thank you!

If someone around me starts to bring me down by their behavior and the way they choose to carry themselves, I’ll attempt to turn the situation around.  If it fails, however, I will quickly remove myself from that situation and the sour puss.  I’ll be polite about it, but I will choose NOT to allow that person to affect my mood or steal my joy!  Plain and simple!

The choice is yours – which one will you choose today?