The Sun'll Come Out Tomorrow...

Friday, November 20, 2009

In my last post I talked about strategies for making it through the busy week I've been going through and today I wanted to continue on that train of thought my talking about something else that has been helping me through:

A positive attitude.

It's been a crazy week. I've been getting home after 12am and going to bed after 1am. Rather than hop right into bed and snuggle with Joey and the fur-babies, I've been getting things done around the house, preparing meals, taking out my hair & bathing, as well as doing Weight Watchers stuff. At the theatre, things haven't been going particularly smoothly (as they often don't during tech week) but I've been trying not to let it get to me.

Why?

Negativity is like a bacteria that can spread quickly and silently through everything that it touches. If I have a negative attitude and become snippy with you, you may be snippy to the next person. When you're wandering around a theatre full of a cast and crew of 30+ people that's a whole lot of bacteria that could turn into an epidemic if not stopped at the source. If I contribute to the negative energy, I'm simply helping it to spread and get stuck in a yucky rut.

So I take it one step at a time.

Even though I'm sleep deprived and a wee bit cranky, I've done my best to put on a happy face. I've tried to apologize if I've been short with someone. I've tried to keep my complaining to minimum and instead worked to solve the problems. I've talked a few of my cast mates down when they were feeling negative or down in the dumps because they messed up lines or forgot cues (because I've absolutely been there too) I've been working on doing the best *I* personally can and trying to live vicariously through the children because they are thrilled to be on stage and doing this show.

It brings me back to part of one of my favourite quotes, that is still posted at my desk at work:
The remarkable thing is that we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we
embrace for that day. We cannot change our past... we cannot change the fact
that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only
thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. I
am convince that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. -
Cynthia Cooper
When I talk to people about things that have happened in my life, many express their sympathies or condolences because they believe that a mother dying at 13, a disease or eating regime is a horrible thing to have to live with.

I don't feel sorry for myself and work to maintain a positive attitude whatever comes my way.

Everything that has happened to me in this life has gotten me to where I am today and there's honestly no place I would rather be. Reminds me of a certain little ditty from a show that opened yesterday:
When I'm stuck a day that's gray, and lonely,
I just stick out my chin and grin, and say...
The sun'll come out, tomorrow
So ya gotta hang on 'til tomorrow, come what may
Tomorrow! Tomorrow! I love ya tomorrow!
You're always a day away!


We had a great opening last night and I'm looking forward to the 11 shows to come! This week I encourage you to be like Annie: stick out your chin, grin and choose to have a positive outlook on everything that comes your way.

11 comments:

LizNoVeggieGirl said...

Beautiful quotes and outlook; and congratulations on a stellar opening night!! :)

cocoNUTbutter said...

An excellent post and one everyone should read and remember. Negativity and pessimism are like a cancer. Good luck with your play.

GF Gidget said...

Thank you... I needed that this week. You are my sunshine, Little Miss PPP!
PS- At work, they call me Little Orphan Annie. A hazard of being a curly red-head in a seemingly perpetual good mood.

Anonymous said...

i like your attitude. most people have a lot to be thankful for, despite the "bad" in their life.

and ... that little girl really looks like annie!

Melinda said...

You're an inspiration, Ashley! Thank you!

Melinda said...

P.S. HAPPY (belated) OPENING!!!!

Julie Lynn said...

Great attitude and wonderful reminder for all of us. Thanks for sharing!

niki said...

I love the quote, I have a lot of negative bacteria in me lately. Struggling on how to deal with my emotions. Thanks for the pick me up.

Gena said...

Ash, this has been a super busy week for me, and your amazingly positive outlook and practical tips are so welcome. Thanks!

Pure2Raw Twins said...

Great quote! I love how you are so positive about things in life... love that! :) I try to keep my complaining and negativity to a bare minimum though sometimes it happens ;)

Nicci said...

I really enjoyed your week on Crohns disease, I learned a lot of valuable information. Thank you again for sharing.

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