No July Fireworks Inside

Falling plate in a local restaurant

Jennyffer

No July Fireworks Inside

July in Utah is a time for fireworks.  The month kicks off with Independence Day and then builds to a climax toward the end of the month with our “Statehood Day” celebration on the 24^th.  On these days and on the days around them, many Utah homes are busting with illuminating colors and sparkle day and night.  It is a time of joyous celebration as we show gratitude for our freedom and for those who sacrificed to provide it for us.  It is a time to feel the comfort of tradition with the people we love.

One tradition my family enjoys is to go to one of our favorite restaurants for an early dinner.  It is a time for us to relax and enjoy each other’s company.  This year was no exception to this tradition and we were having a nice time mingling at our table when our server came over and picked up an empty plate.

She snatched up the plate with a smile and whirled to her left as she began to leave.  Her movements were fluid and easy.  That is, right up to the time when the plate squirted away from her hand and connected with gravity to hit the floor.

As the plate landed, we all looked at each other in anticipation of an assumed explosion of anger from her lips.  But it never came.  When it didn’t come our expressions changed from a cringe to surprise.  The surprise continued to grow when an upsurge of laughter burst from her mouth in an expression of realized humor.

I watched the sparkle in her eyes expand and never fade as she reached down to scoop up the plate and its mess.  She saw an opportunity to laugh at herself and she seized it with joy.  I saw an opportunity to learn from her as I saw how she singlehandedly turned a potentially negative experience into one of uninterrupted happiness.  There were no fireworks inside.

This delightful waitress caused me to issue an inside challenge to myself as I saw her example of laughing at oneself.  Everyday occurrences present many opportunities to make a choice to respond in anger or to lighten the day with laughter.  We can choose to live in joy or to feel the pain of exploding over the insignificant.  You can live your life with a broad smile and a sparkle in your eyes if you’ll only laugh at yourself at every opportunity.