i get knocked down, but i get up again.

A large part of being a grown up is how you handle the day-to-day set backs that leave you frustrated, disappointed, and ready to throw in the towel.

I’m not talking about the big things that change everything like illness or accidents or tragedies. Those are in a category all by themselves, and you never know how you will react until they happen directly to you.

I’m talking about the curve balls that life throws at you just to make sure that you’re on your toes.

The things that leave you begging the universe, Please. Not today.

Like a busted toilet 20 minutes before the babysitter arrives.

Like arriving at the theater only to discover that the show is in two days.

Like having the salon call to reschedule your hair appointment for the third time.

Like having stinky socks left on the coffee table for the 53rd day in a row.

Sure, all of these things have happened to me in the last 48 hours.

But this is what I finally figured out. At those moments, there is a split second where we have a choice.

We get to choose whether we are going to let life enrage us or whether we’re going to laugh at our own folly.

Lately, I’ve been making a concerted effort to do the latter.

Trust me, I’ve had more than my fair share of tantrums when things don’t go my way.

It’s almost too easy to stomp our feet and bitch and moan and complain about the cards we’ve been dealt. It’s easy to wear our victim hat, feel sorry for ourselves and get that finger ready for pointing. There must be someone we can blame for this inconvenience, this annoyance.

And when all that huffing and puffing is over, do we actually feel better?

Of course not.

These days I’m choosing the path in the opposite direction. I’ve decided to let life’s inconveniences roll off my back.

Good try life. I bet you thought you had me rattled with that one.

Not today.