My daughter's voice came through loud and clear on the bluetooth speaker in my car. My stomach dropped. This was not the phone call I usually received from her.
"What's wrong?" I asked, ready to whip the car around to go rescue her from whatever tragedy she faced.
"My positivity bubble is bursting."
I released the breath I didn't realize I was holding. Thank goodness.
I kept driving.
"Everyone here at work is in such a bad mood. I got yelled at twice already and I don't even know what I did. I'm trying to be positive, but it's just so hard when everyone is so....crabby."
My daughter is a cashier at a local store. It hasn't been easy going for her. There has been a lot of turn over (two people quit the day she called me) and despite the store manager's call for 'positive teamwork', there hasn't been much of that.
"Well..." I began giving my daughter some of my positive words of wisdom: The only person you can control is yourself; Find something good and focus on that; It's 90 degrees out and everyone is a bit cranky; and finally -- Remember that you are making $100 for working today. (The money one would surely stick with her.)
We chatted for a few more minutes, her spirit uplifted a bit, and she went back to work.
I pondered a few things as we drove on:
1. My daughter reached out to me in her time of distress. I am grateful that she feels that she can do this. I am grateful for our continued closeness, even into her late teenage years.
2. My positive outlook has apparently rubbed off some on her. She's been listening.
3. She recognizes how important attitude is to creating your reality and how your attitude affects others. She was trying to be positive and upbeat, but everyone's "crabbiness" was making it difficult. Maybe (maybe!) she will remember this when she is in a crabby mood.
She came home from work that night in a pretty good mood. Apparently, she was able to re-inflate her positivity bubble.
Thank goodness.
Your post is a good example of thankfulness morphing into gratitude through awareness.
ReplyDeleteIt is wonderful when we can be there for family and friends. I like the idea of a positivity bubble. Even though your daughter's positivity bubble was bursting you managed to turn it around! Great slice!
ReplyDeleteLove the idea of a 'positivity bubble.' I'll have to share with my six year old, who I sometimes have to remind not to ruin a good time by complaining. :) I love that your daughter reached out to you. It does say a lot about your relationship.
ReplyDeleteI, too, love the idea of a positivity bubble. It goes hand in hand with my inner mantra: "Channel the nice!" I once heard a tremendously moving interview with a chronically ill young boy who could barely move or talk. He was remarkably upbeat and the interviewer asked him about it. The boy said, with his young raspy, mechanically assisted voice, that his mom told him you always have control over something in your situation, even if it's just your attitude. He chose for his to be positive. That story has always stuck with me.
ReplyDeleteI, too, love the idea of a positivity bubble. It goes hand in hand with my inner mantra: "Channel the nice!" I once heard a tremendously moving interview with a chronically ill young boy who could barely move or talk. He was remarkably upbeat and the interviewer asked him about it. The boy said, with his young raspy, mechanically assisted voice, that his mom told him you always have control over something in your situation, even if it's just your attitude. He chose for his to be positive. That story has always stuck with me.
ReplyDeleteI'm keeping your "positivity bubble" in mind this summer and into the next school year. What a great way of looking at things!
ReplyDeleteYour advice about what she has control over is herself is the best.
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks to the commentator who wrote about the ill young boy. It makes me reflect on how much power I actually have, using my attitude!
Your advice about what she has control over is herself is the best.
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks to the commentator who wrote about the ill young boy. It makes me reflect on how much power I actually have, using my attitude!
Getting the reminder that "you are all you can control" in the moment is always so helpful to me. I love that she reached out. I love that you listened. I love that her positivity bubble wasn't popped. :)
ReplyDeleteJennifer, your own attitude clearly has left its imprint on your daughter. What a blessing for her own life. Maybe she will make an impact at that store, a very nice thing. We are in charge if only we all understood that.
ReplyDeleteI'm snagging the term of positivity bubble! Love that! Isn't it the truth that it's hard to stay positive in a field of negativity!
ReplyDeleteI'm snagging the term of positivity bubble! Love that! Isn't it the truth that it's hard to stay positive in a field of negativity!
ReplyDeleteSmart daughter learns smart lessons from a smart momma! Love the thought of a positivity bubble!
ReplyDeleteJust by reading this, so many will be carrying that positivity bubble into their life, me included. I understand the initial panic from your daughter's first words. Even with a son who is 34, I still have that same drop in the stomach feeling with those words.
ReplyDeleteThat bubble idea creates an easy to remember visual for something that isn't always easy to keep in mind. Your thoughts at the end must bring you a lot of happiness-for you and your daughter!
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