Fresh Tracks

What are your resolutions this year? Have you made a promise to yourself you will be a better parent, a better spouse? Did you decide to show more love and less anger?

I’ll admit I struggle with my emotional outbursts (my husband will concur).

So it’s a new year…just like a fresh blanket of snow I can begin again. The old tracks are covered and the fresh snow is waiting for a new path to be plowed.

The great thing is I can resolve to do things differently any time of the year, any day, any moment.

So join me in some self-evaluation. (Notice I said self…not spouse. I’m sure your spouse would be happy to assist you if you draw a blank!) Determine the things that tend to trigger a big reaction. Mine is feeling disrespected. If I’m speaking and the person I’m talking with walks away or responds with a curt reply- it takes me no time at all to get MAD. But…my MAD doesn’t solve my problem of not feeling respected. It only serves to complicate and cloud the issue.

I need to rise above my strong emotions and voice my concern.

“When you walk away from me, while I’m talking, I feel disrespected. I would really appreciate it if you would hear me out before walking off.” By doing this I own the issue and have provided a logical solution to my concern.

I’ve noticed, my anger helps me pinpoint a problem but it does nothing to help solve it.

So… rather than reacting and following the same ol’ path- I’m going to make fresh tracks and create a new response to an old frustration.

How do you handle your mad?

A fool gives full vent to his anger.

Proverbs 29:11