Choosin'

In one of my former lives, I was an adjunct professor for the San Jacinto Junior College system, teaching two speech classes on their South Campus. I taught Public Speaking on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, and Interpersonal Communications on Wednesday evenings. You know - Network Television should create a reality t.v. show set in a night class in a Junior College - they’d make millions. I’m not saying it would be quality programming - its kinda like an accident on the highway: You tell yourself you don’t want to watch, but you can’t help but tune in!

Interpersonal Communications is technically a Speech class, but in reality it’s about 25% public speaking, and 75% psychology. Though I don’t remember most of the curriculum (thank God for small favors!), one of the primary teaching points has stuck with me: No one makes us mad, or happy, or sad. Situations happen - life happens, and we choose how we will react.

When my daughter Claire turned 3, I decided to bestow upon her this grain of wisdom...honestly, I was just growing weary of hearing my little angelic monster spit out “Mommy - you’re makin’ me mad!”. Every time I heard this phrase, I would respond with “No, honey, you are choosing to be mad.”

Claire is now a wise and worldly 4 year old. A few days ago, I watched her stomp around the house, huffing and puffing and reeking pure havoc on her toys, potted plants and the family cat alike. “What’s up kiddo?”, I asked. She turned towards me, placed both hands on her hips, tossed her blonde hair out of her face and rolling her eyes said, “Mommy - I’m just choosin’ to be mad.”

Why would my darling little girl choose to be mad? For that matter, why do I choose to be mad - or sad or hurt or spiteful or embarrassed. As a child of God, I’ve been offered the Light of the World - so why do so often I choose to live in my own darkness?

Today I choose Grace.