Remember how Pollyanna’s father taught her to play the Glad Game? She was disappointed when the Missionary barrel delivered crutches instead of the doll she had hoped for. He suggested she be glad that she had
no use for the crutches.
What if, when faced with life’s challenges, we choose to find something to be glad about instead?
Ridiculous?
Too simplistic?
Perhaps. But think a minute. What if we did make that mind shift in perspective? What if that was how we coped with life? What if that was how we not only coped, we overcame, and thrived?
I believe we can change our focus in all areas of life.
When my husband’s employers closed their doors unexpectedly (they had sent him across the country on a business trip at the time), that experience opened up a whole new world for our
family. Not just a new job, but also a brand new state, braving a new school, settling into a new house, and a host of new relationships to enrich our lives.
We didn’t go looking for a new life, it appeared, and we could choose to look at it as a disaster or as an adventure.
I was glad my husband’s new job gave him the chance to work with a leader in his industry and to be a part of creating cutting edge technology.
I was glad that I got the chance to grow as a leader for my family and in my new community. Not having family nearby meant I had to step outside my natural introvert tendencies to build relationships through our new church, the local women’s club, and our daughter’s school.
I was glad that I could use my writing skills, which afforded me access to positions at the local children’s museum, the Junior League, women’s club, elementary school, a business journal, and church.
We not only survived this change, but we also thrived in our new environment because we chose to focus on what makes us glad.
What’s going on in your life? Your situation may not require a change in address as ours did, but it probably involves a shift in attitude.
It may be a case of misplaced keys when you are running late, spilled milk at the breakfast table, or a forgotten task on the ever-growing To-Do list. Whatever it is causing your stress, you can decide to play the Glad Game and shift the emphasis of the situation.
Choose to be glad it was a small plastic tumbler of milk and not a glass gallon jug. Choose to be glad you safely arrived at your appointment, although a bit tardy. Choose to be glad your To-Do list deadlines can easily be amended.
Life is too short to obsess over spilled milk and more noteworthy challenges in life. Like losing a job, significant moves, loss of a loved one, divorce, or catastrophic illness. We are the only ones who decide how we feel.
I choose to be glad about my many blessings and to not dwell on situations and circumstances I have little or no control over.
Journaling is how I cope and thrive. I choose to use my journal as a place to vent, noodle, and brainstorm about what I’d like life to be like and how to accomplish my vision. I write about what I’m glad about in the here and now. I suggest you may want to consider writing for five minutes a day as a way to uncover what you are glad about.
I’m so glad you took the time to read this article. I wish you grace and courage to unleash from what is holding you back. It’s your time to show up, shine, and thrive!
Unleash Your Glad Game
RHG Magazine & TV Guide TM - April 2020 © All rights reserved.