A flat attitude

"Stuff happens. It is your response that counts."

I was eating sushi with my friends a few months ago when I got this token of advice in my fortune cookie. Even though it isn't really a fortune, I held on to the cookie-wrapped words of wisdom because I knew they would serve as a good reminder to me one day.

For many of us, it isn't easy to be optimistic when difficult times arise, and I'm no different. I explained to a friend that my life is very much like a game of Jenga. I live by a day planner, and I'm overly organized so when one piece is pulled out it feels like everything could come tumbling down.

I left my house for work Monday morning and just a few miles down the road my tire was completely flat. After getting my spare tire put on, I was two hours behind schedule and in a pretty foul mood. At that moment, it was hard to think about how fortunate I was that my day started off this way. I'd driven back from Baton Rouge late Sunday night and if my tire had gone flat any sooner I would have been stranded in the dark on the side of I-49.

I went to get my tire the next morning and the report wasn't good -- the tire was not fixable. Immediately, I was frustrated about having to buy a new tire since I'd gotten a new set less than a year ago. But left with no choice, I went to the tire store and braced myself for the unexpected expense. The guy helping me wanted to try to repair the tire before he replaced it, so I agreed to let him give it a shot. Less than an hour later, my tire was patched free of charge and I was happy to keep my $150.

Sometimes it's hard to look at the sunny side of life. In fact, it's human nature to react negatively. But after two days of tire woes, I realized all my worry and frustration got me nowhere. Life isn't always going to come up roses, but you still have a choice in how you respond. Plus, isn't it a lot more fun to live life believing things are going to work out?