"It's a Great Day to Have a Great Day"

[phetaroi]

Originally Posted by QuakerBaker

You're right on that. In fact, there are times when religion can hinder that if applied inappropriately.

Thank you.

[mordant]

Originally Posted by QuakerBaker

"It's a Great Day to Have a Great Day"

I'll confess to mixed feelings concerning these sorts of aphorisms. It doesn't take much for them to become trite.

My stepson's father and monster-in-law used to end their answering machine message with "... and don't forget to make it a great day". As if it's 110% on you to do that for yourself. Which has a weird way of absolving the person spouting such sayings from their role -- in theory permitting them to make your day a horrible one and then judge the horror to be all your fault somehow.

It is of course true that we often have zero control over events apart from how we choose to frame / perceive / respond to them, and yes, descending into bitterness or whatever is unhelpful.

So on the one hand, one cannot just "decide" to have a great day, despite being in agonizing pain or facing terminal cancer or a lover's betrayal or whatever. On the other hand, one can and should, as the British say, "make the best of a bad job".

[QuakerBaker]

Originally Posted by mordant

I'll confess to mixed feelings concerning these sorts of aphorisms. It doesn't take much for them to become trite.

My stepson's father and monster-in-law used to end their answering machine message with "... and don't forget to make it a great day". As if it's 110% on you to do that for yourself. Which has a weird way of absolving the person spouting such sayings from their role -- in theory permitting them to make your day a horrible one and then judge the horror to be all your fault somehow.

It is of course true that we often have zero control over events apart from how we choose to frame / perceive / respond to them, and yes, descending into bitterness or whatever is unhelpful.

So on the one hand, one cannot just "decide" to have a great day, despite being in agonizing pain or facing terminal cancer or a lover's betrayal or whatever. On the other hand, one can and should, as the British say, "make the best of a bad job".

Of course you made valid points.

However, I think in most day to day situations, you have more control over how you want to shape your day than any other one individual. Not the president, not your neighbor, not your boss, but you....in most situations.

Of course, it isn't completely in your control, but I think a person has more control than they often realize.


I'm pregnant for the 3rd time...and it can be stressful as people complain that I don't add a lot of weight while pregnant, or how will I exercise being busier, or what if it is another C section, or what if this or that....But I find that I am better if I realize that I can do it...I can be positive...I can help others...I can accomplish...make a plan list...check off goals.

[mordant]

Originally Posted by QuakerBaker

Of course you made valid points.

However, I think in most day to day situations, you have more control over how you want to shape your day than any other one individual. Not the president, not your neighbor, not your boss, but you....in most situations.

Of course, it isn't completely in your control, but I think a person has more control than they often realize.


I'm pregnant for the 3rd time...and it can be stressful as people complain that I don't add a lot of weight while pregnant, or how will I exercise being busier, or what if it is another C section, or what if this or that....But I find that I am better if I realize that I can do it...I can be positive...I can help others...I can accomplish...make a plan list...check off goals.

Certainly ... self-talk is often far more negative or fretful than people realize. I am close to some folks with OCD and with those folks often their mental merry-go-round is advertised out of their mouths. But even people who are not thusly afflicted have unexamined thought-habits and sometimes need to establish different ones.