by Barbara A. Black

Created on: November 29, 2010

Some days seem to start out bad and then get worse and worse, as the day goes on. Others start out good and get better and better. And some start out one way and move to the other before the day is over. The ones that start out bad and move to good are usually not much of a problem, and the ones that go from good to better are great. However, if your day started out bad and got worse, or started out good and turned bad, what do you do to stop the progression?

First, regardless of how the day began, try to think of something that makes you happy. Get a pen and paper and start writing happy thoughts. List things that you are happy about, such as your family, you health, your job, even your car. By the time you have listed ten things, you probably feel much happier about yourself and your day. If you still feel that things aren't good, though, list the people you know who are worse off than you are. That should do the job!

Another thing to do is to get outside and walk around. If it is cold or raining and you don't want to go outside, walk around in your house. Either place, look around you at all you have to be thankful for. Most of us have much more than we really need to live in comfort and never go hungry. And we have far more than what we can use in our homes. Most families, now, also have at least two cars or trucks. And if there are teenagers in the home that are old enough to drive, they will also usually have a vehicle to drive. Those vehicles sometimes cause problems, but they are also very useful and things to be thankful for.

Check your refrigerator. You probably have it stuffed with leftovers, drinks, and assorted snacks. That, in itself, is enough to make one thankful, because about half the population of the world gets up every morning hungry and goes to bed that night still hungry. So we can be thankful that we have food to eat and liquids to drink.

Write someone in your family and invite them to come for a visit. Or ask if you can do something for them. Or call them and have a long visit with them. To make contact with older family and/or those who live far away will not only brighten their day, but will also serve to brighten yours. You will also be more thankful for your own health and home.

Check in with a neighbor who is older and frail. Ask if you can do anything for them, or ask about a particular thing you can do for them. Just asking about helping someone will usually help you get in a better mood; actually doing the thing they ask for will give you even a better "high"! And once you do that, look around and see if they need something else done; that will also help you feel better. And just going by on a regular basis would really help you be happier, and the other person will also be happier-and you might earn a new friend!

These are just a few things that can help you change a bad day into a good day. The bad day is usually because you have no positive plans for that day, and/or you just feel that you aren't making a difference in anyone's life. Giving of yourself and counting your blessings will absolutely help turn that bad day into one of the best days of your life!

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