I am grateful that, slowly but surely, I’m learning to recognize my negative emotions and not respond to them every time. via /r/gratitude

Today is Father’s Day. And here I go again feeling self-pity for myself and feeling unappreciated (oddly enough especially by my wife not my kids). How many Father’s Days have I done this? How many birthdays? How many times have I let myself feel sorry for myself (generally without any real justification) and then whined about it and thus ruining the day and hurting those trying their best to make me feel special? Way too many.

I think I’m usually a pretty mellow and modest guy. I don’t usually seek out praise and never to be the center of attention. These few days, however, they get to me and I can turn into a pouty child so easily.

I’ve come to realize these rarer outbursts of ego may never go away as much as I’ve tried to kill them off. They may always been part of my unique psyche. Not sure what experiences they are borne of but they are just a part of me.

What I am grateful for having learned is that they don’t need to control me. I can keep my mouth shut. I can keep the doleful look off my face (ah, the face says so much more than words ever can). I can keep the pitiful tone out of my voice (tone speaks volumes).

Thoughts and feelings are ephemeral and will come and go. The damage done by investing solidity into them can cause real damage to relationships and my own mental health. The words I say at any time can either build up others or make them also feel unappreciated and hurt. They can create self-fulfilling prophecies and make all things worse.

Today, maybe there will be a pouty baby running around in my head but I am grateful for the power and intention to not give that baby the keys to this vehicle. Wish my silly ass luck.