I Was Perpetually Angry Until Joy Became My Goal

It's so easy to get into this space, and even easier to stay there if you don't consciously think about choosing the be joyful. There are so many stresses we allow to load up on ourselves. I know from experience, and on bad days find myself sliding back sometimes. But living Joyfully is so much better! It's worth the effort to push your way back to that attitude and once there, feels so good to be the source of others' joy.
I Was Perpetually Angry Until Joy Became My Goal
by Rachel, Hands Free Mama
October 18, 2016

I typically don’t read many Facebook status updates—and I especially don’t read them multiple times—but this particular one stopped me cold. It was an observation shared by my friend Nicki Salcedo. Whether penning a novel, an op-ed piece, or a Facebook status update, Nicki’s words never fail to provide enlightenment and introspection. This was Nicki’s informal, yet powerful observation:

“Nighttime soccer practice. I see a family I know. They have back-to- back practices for their girls. That amounts to three hours of soccer on a Tuesday night.

Me: “Wow, you guys have a long night.”

Dad: “Yeah, but I’ve got to head over and cut my son’s hair. He has cancer. He’s in the hospital. I’m going to Northside.”

It is 7:30pm at night. We live across town from that hospital. The dad leaves. He calls his daughter the best nickname when she plays. He admits he doesn’t know much about soccer, but he’s learning.

I think about all these angry parents. Angry people. For what? They have everything and want more.

The quiet ones simply enjoy seeing their kids kick a ball.” –Nicki Salcedo

It was no mystery why I read Nicki’s observation three times.

Nor was it any mystery why her words made me cry.

I was that angry person.