lost keys

You got to be kiddin’ me right?  Now what?

It started when I couldn’t find my keys.  What had started as a beautiful day here in the mountains was quickly turning into DESPAIR!!!

Headed out the door, bags packed, everything in order, all chores done, I’m gone.  The adventure begins.   I said “I’m gone” right?  Where are my  keys?  Twenty minutes of torture later, I’m still looking.  I’ve now got Staci helping me look.  Hey, if I’ve got to suffer, then someone else has to suffer too, right?

She realizes my frustration when I bark at her question.  You know the question she asked……. “Where did YOU put them?”  If I knew that, then I wouldn’t have to be looking for them. Duh!!!  Tension has suddenly built between the two of us.  “Check in your bags you packed” was her reply before she stomped out of the room.  She’s usually right, so I stomped over and unpacked my bags.  No keys, but I realized that I also forgot to pack my wallet.  Now to find my wallet,…….. and keys.

My loving wife who I’ve agitated returns with my wallet. “Found this, but no keys.”  I can’t say thanks because the dad gum keys are all that my brain can concentrate on at the moment.  Oh yea, I said I had everything in order.  While looking for my keys, I ran across some paperwork that had not been mailed.  Deadline is today.  Now I’ve got to drop by the post office!

The phone rings.  One of those chores I was to do, well, I had not done.  I’ll take care of it on my way to town.  The guy on the phone probably wondered why I was so short with him.  It was because the keys were all that was on my mind.

This is silly!  My day is ruined because of small unimportant things in my life that have caused me to turn sour and negative.  Not only that, but my actions (and reactions) have caused others to be hurt and bothered by my inability to handle what life is currently throwing at me.

Inside of my own head and hearing all my thoughts is not a good place to be right now.  You’ve been there!   These thoughts are clouding any and all rational thinking. “It’s your fault, Anybody should know where their keys are, but not you………..Why me, Why now…….Can’t I ever catch a break……I’ve got it bad.   I’ve got a case of “Stinkin’ Thinkin”.  It’s enough to make this preacher cuss!  @#**%

Found them.  They had fallen off the countertop under the cabinets.  I bet someone knocked them off.  I need someone to blame to put my mind at rest.  The glare that Staci is giving me from across the room tells me it wouldn’t be a smart move to blame her.  Besides, my coffee mug is the one sitting above where the keys fell.  Well, back to where I was twenty minutes ago.  Bags packed, everything in order, all chores done….. I’m gone…….. to the post office and that final chore……    and then I say it.  And you yourself have said it.   “@#$%, why bother.  My day is ruined”.

Welcome to the local chapter of the “Stinkin’ Thinkin’ “, everyday happening, anonymous Men’s and Ladies’ group.  Pull up a chair.  It’s a crowded organization.  You’ll fit right in.  I know, I know, there are lots of people out there with bigger problems than me, but my situation today, right now, is changing my way of thinking.  It’s causing me to bark at loved ones, strike out at others, be negative.   And don’t tell me “It’s no big deal”.  Don’t say “get over it”, cause there’s not a bridge big enough to calm and redirect this brain of mine.  I lost my keys!  It might as well be the end of the world.  It’s enough to make any and every preacher cuss. Including you!