Today was a bad day at work. Extremely busy. Lots of problems and issues. Didn't leave till almost 8:00 pm. Throughout the day, I allowed myself to groan and complain. A lot. Way more than I should have. [I hate to admit what a spoiled brat I can be at the lowest part of my nature, but it's true.] Then tonight, a profound truth hit me hard: I should consider myself fortunate to have had a bad day at work.
How many hundreds of thousands of people in northern Japan would gladly trade places with me today? Take my "bad" day in place of the sheer horror that they are living and breathing today? Take a bad day at work and know that their homes are in tact, their loved ones are safe and accounted for, that they have running water, food, shelter, and oh so many other things I take for granted on a regular basis?
How many unemployed people in my own country would take a "bad" day at work in place of being unable to find a job? How many would take my bad day in place of losing sleep at night, not sure if they can pay this month's mortgage or car payment or gas bill? Not sure of how they are going to provide food for their children or a roof over their heads.
How many terminally ill people would take my "bad" day at work and hardly even bat an eye at having a rough day on the job in place of not knowing how long their cancer will stay in remission or how much longer they have to spend with their families?
Stopped in my tracks, I am chagrined at my immaturity and pettiness. A new attitude emerges: gratitude. (There's that word again!) In place of self-pity at my "awful" day, I realize more than anything, I should be thankful for the opportunity and privilege to have a bad day at work. Thankful that my company has customers that need my help (hello, job "security"). Thankful that I have skills that are valuable and needed in the marketplace. Thankful that chance and the recession did not take away my livelihood in the past few years as has happened to so many other people, through no fault of their own.
Beyond my gratitude for my job, I am also thankful that the worst thing I had to worry about today was how much work needed to be done. I did not worry whether or not my home would be safe and fit for habitation. I did not worry if I would have food to eat. I did not worry that I would have money to pay for the tank of gas I needed on the way home. I could take comfort knowing that my family and friends are safe and healthy.
So many blessings. So little time spent saying thanks. I am humbled. May I never forget - even on my "worst" day - how lucky, blessed and fortunate I am.
Thank you, God!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!
