Stop growling

I was a very grumpy child; I don’t know why, but I often felt an inexplicable anger—I’d walk around frowning and got irritated easily.

I remember being just a girl—maybe ten years old—and going to take a shower, only to find that a specific T-shirt was missing...

I immediately got annoyed and started tossing things around in a huff while looking for it. It was my little sister—nearly three years younger than me—who clearly told me that it wasn't a reason to get upset; she said it in such a way that it made me smile right then, and I still think about it often.

And so, I spent much of my childhood, adolescence, and part of my adulthood being quite a grouch...

Little by little, I realized that sometimes I was grumpy for no truly valid reason; I would make myself miserable and, in doing so, sometimes make life miserable for those around me—usually people who were important to me.

As the years went by, I became much more reflective—though I always had been, even when I walked around with a scowl—as well as much more introspective, serene, and empathetic.

Nowadays, I don't let myself get irritated so easily; whenever possible, I try to approach certain matters with serenity—if the situation calls for it—or with humor, depending on the case.

The world is hostile enough as it is—we don't need to go around acting like vicious dogs on top of that.

This writing is inspired by @galenkp's proposal for this weekend.