5-16-10 My Many Colored Days by Dr.Seuss

"Some days are yellow. Some are blue. On different days I'm different too." Dr. Seuss, My Many Colored Days

I am a fan of Dr.Seuss, or Theodore Geisel. Not only were his books colorful and witty, they were teaching lessons of perservence and acceptance. This quote is from one of his final books, 'My Many Colored Days.' It is not illustrated like the rest of his books. The illustrations are actually paintings. And they are really wonderful.
But the book talks about how different we can be from day to day. How our moods can change and how they make us feel. The first time I read it, the boys were small and I had a different view of the meaning of the book. I was trying to see the world through their eyes. I liked it because I knew it would help them accept all of their emotions, good and bad, happy and sad.
As I pick it up now, I have a different perception. I see myself in the book instead of my children.
Recently, I had a dialogue with someone that 'went off' on me. His diatribe was meant to be demeaning and self righteous and in those few moments when his words were slung at me, I became defensive and angry. And then I started laughing! I gave him a one word reply, 'nice' and went on my way. My mood changed from impatient to defensive and angry to giddy and then finally to ambivilence. I chose to not give him my positive or negative energy.
Now this behavior is learned. I have a temper and have had to teach myself to think before I do anything. I cannot tell you how many times my heated words and actions have gotten me in trouble. I'm not proud of being arrested because I flipped off a cop but it definitely felt good!! But I learned a lesson that long ago day. Think before you speak. Not only do I consider the words I use but I consider the energy I expend in reacting to other's. It's all cause and effect. You push me, I push back.
This is not strictly for negative behaviors. Being able to deflect negativity from an asshole is the easy part, assholes are not hard to spot. When you meet someone that you like and you want to get to know them better, it's hard to discern if they are an asshole or not. It's not as easy as Dr.Suess, some having stars and some not. But I give my energy freely to those I want to learn more about. And sometimes, I get it back. Those are my happy days. When I can grab one of my boyz and hug them and get it returned, that is a very good day indeed. Hhhmmm, what color would that be...a Mother's love for her child...all of them I think.
The point I wanted to make is that you choose how to react to all situations. And that those reactions are as varied as the colors of the rainbow.
Go get a copy of the book. Read it out loud. Try to recognize your colors. What is your favorite? What is your least favorite?

May your week be as fruitful as I will try to make mine.

L