The title of this column is not two of Snow White’s dwarfs. It’s a description of how we all sometimes feel. We’re having a bad day, everyone and everything is annoying us, the car breaks down, someone is rude to us, a project is overdue. We feel bad and everyone around us knows about it!
In 1972, Judith Voist wrote a children’s book about these moods. Alexander and the terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day, depicts a day in young Alexander’s life where everything goes wrong. He wakes up with gum in his hair, trips on his skateboard and drops his favorite sweater in the sink – all before breakfast. The book is funny but also affirms to children (and adults reading the book to the children) that their feelings are genuine and that, “some days are just like that.”
We all have bad days and often the events in those days are beyond our control. Other times, however, the source of our bad day can be found by looking in the mirror. The car breaks down because I didn’t take the time to have it serviced.
A project is due because I didn’t prioritize my work schedule. Someone doesn’t smile at you, you forget something, the day is rainy, you didn’t sleep well – small unrecognized things that can affect you in adverse ways.
When I wake up like Alexander, with gum in my hair or some other annoying thing, I try to pause and think for a minute. With thought I can often recognize the events behind the feelings and with recognition comes acceptance. This feeling isn’t random, I am not a slave to this feeling. I see what has happened and this knowledge lets me pull myself out of that bad day.
The holidays are upon us. There will be hectic days filled with the usual love and drama of life. All the magic of the season can, if we’re not careful, sneak in some bad days. I plan to attempt to remain vigilant of those bad-day demons, banish them and leave room in my head for the beauty and peace coming our way. Some days can just be like that.
Cindy Arp, teacher/librarian, retired from Knox County Schools. She and husband Dan live in Heiskell. And she goes hiking once a week – even in a forest fire.