Over the past few months, since I started working outside the home again, I’ve come to learn and accept a few things that reflect my current reality: 1) waking up to a buzzing alarm at 5:45 a.m. sucks; 2) I can expect my 41 minute, 35-mile morning commute to be far less harrowing and lengthy as the 60+ minute drive home; and 3) I really miss my dog when I’m at work. 

I’ve also allowed myself a tiny luxury that, in the grand scheme, may not alter the way the earth spins around its axis but it gives me a measure of satisfaction upon which tide I can usually ride for the remainder of the day. Once a week, I slip into my walking shoes and make the trek from my modest 5th floor cubicle at my client site to the large cafeteria located seemingly on the other side of the world (in reality, it’s an 8-minute walk to another building) for a cinnamon raisin bagel with a generous smear of cream cheese and a salted caramel cappuccino. Sixteen ounces, no less. Yeah, I’m living large. 

Today was my “bageluccino” day.  

As I hovered over the trough of condiments, straight spatula in hand, and spread whipped cream cheese on my freshly toasted bagel like a mason wielding a trowel, a dapper gentleman (bringing with him the aromas of the men’s cologne counter at Macy’s), sidled up close to me and said, “Do you mind if I squeeze in here?” referring to the wide open space around the buffet bar laden with an assortment of fresh fruits, bagels, bread, muffins and other breakfast accoutrements. Aside from the two of us, there was no one else at the bar, thus, no need for any degree of ‘squeezing’ to occur, but I digress. 

The gentleman, who wore an impeccable blue plaid tailored suit jacket and matching solid pants, struck up a conversation. 

Dapper Don: ”How’re you this morning?” 

Me: “Good, and you?” 

Dapper Don: [Looking at his watch; it was 7:55 a.m.]  “I’m fine.” 

Me: “Yeah, me too,” I said, “…but it’s still early; anything can go wrong.” 

And there it was. As soon as I said it, I wanted to snatch the words out of mid-air, stuff them back in my mouth and swallow them without chewing. 

I was being a defeatist. 

Barely an hour into my work day and I was already anticipating the worst that could happen instead of appreciating the day for what it was which, at that moment, was wonderful. I was spewing negativity into the universe for no good reason. Dapper Don picked up on it right away. 

“Hold up there…wait a minute now,” he said, a melodic southern accent intertwined with his good-natured chiding words. The smirk on his face and the tone in his voice said it all. Had I not interrupted him, I’m guessing he would have launched into a speech on the benefits of being positive. Honestly, that really wouldn’t have been such a bad thing anyway. 

Change my thoughts to a new direction…

“I know, I know. Scratch that…”. I self-corrected. “I’m doing really well. Period.” Dapper Don smiled. 

“Where’re you from? I detect an accent.” 

An accent. Really? “I’m from Maryland, and you?” 

“Memphis, Tennessee. Can’t you hear it, girl?” I half-expected him to plant his hand on his hip, snap his fingers and yell, “Work it!” 

It was a brief but pleasant encounter, one which gently nudged me into recalibrating not only my thoughts but the words that came out of my mouth as well. Our thoughts have power. Our words have power. If we posture ourselves to believe that things won’t turn out right, that something can go wrong, that it’s going to be a bad day, chances are that’s what happens. 

Our thoughts are like magnets, attracting energy that we put out. It’s time we stop manifesting the bad and plugging into our positivity. Is that the cure-all? Of course not, but I’d much rather be in that constructive space instead of delving into self-sabotage. Think about it; how many times have you said things like:   

• “Ugh…I feel awful; I’m trying to catch a cold.”  
• “I’m useless at this.” [Whatever your ‘this’ may be]  
• “What’s the point?”  
• “I can’t do it. It’s impossible.”  
• “I’m not good enough.”  

Ever heard the phrase, “The words you speak become the house you live in.”? 

Many times, you might be speaking without really thinking about it. It’s like being on autopilot. We all do it. When we say or think things, our subconscious picks up on the messages that we’re dropping. Did you get that? Our subconscious. Each time we think it or say it, we come to believe it…our subconscious certainly does. 

Today, I could have chosen to stay on the “it’s gonna be a horrible day” track. Instead, I caught myself not only speaking negativity out loud, but also infecting others by spreading it like the common cold. I didn’t want to be the bearer of that. 

Why is that?   

I’m choosing to make it a great day!

Because what I say and how I behave formulates not only the perceptions that others have of me but also how they relate to me. What if the next time Dapper Don sees me, he thinks, “Oh goodness, there’s that pessimistic woman. Let me stay away from her.”? First impressions are lasting impressions, and I would have no one to blame for my external impact upon others but myself. Think about it.   

In the end, Dapper Don buttered his bagel, nodded and said, “You have a good one!” I smiled, nodded back and returned the pleasantry as he walked away. Nice guy, that Dapper Don. Maybe one day I’ll tell him how our chance encounter changed the course of my day.

As for me, today I plan to have a wonderful and positive day. 
___________
Can you relate? When was the last time you self-corrected when you caught yourself slipping into the