What's the Big Deal? -or- Those little things that drive us Nuts!

What little things am I talking about you ask. It's those little things, the ones that drive us crazy about the people we live with. It could be your husband or wife, the kids or maybe a roommate or significant other; but no matter who it is there is usually something that drives us absolutely up the wall. Here are some examples of what I mean:

• wet towels lying on the bedroom floor
• socks in the living room
• toys on the floor (you just tripped on another one)
• dirty dishes in the bedroom
• clothes not folded the way you want them

(and my all time favorite)

• toilet seat left up

This is actually a old list of things that used to drive me up the wall. I remember times when I would be so angry that I would have to repeat myself yet again that things were not getting done the way I wanted them. Do you ever have days like this?

Until one day a had a revelation - I started questioning why I was getting so angry. Why were these things such a big deal to me? Is it that huge of an issue to me? Isn't it more important for me to come home and have quality time with my family (or the person you share your home with), and not be such a "b-*-t-*h" (yep that word!) all the time. Not to say that I never have moments of "loosing it" but I try to pick my battles.

So how did I change my mind about how I felt in regards to my list. Like this:

• wet towel issue - usually I just pick it up, after all I'm standing there already so what's the big deal.
• socks in the living room - If I know who's they are I might toss them at the person and say, "I believe these are yours". Like I never have left socks lying around (oh no - not me).
• toys on the floor - well I don't have to deal with this one anymore (I have big kids now). But would it really hurt to help with this one, make it a game.
• dirty dishes in the bedroom - (ah yes, the old dried milk in the bottom of the glass) Well I usually let the dishes soak a bit anyways. No big deal.
• clothes not folded the way you want them - I'm now just thankful that they got folded and put away.

(I got a bit more creative with my favorite one)

• toilet seat left up - I like to think of it this way:
  

If we ladies require our men to put the toilet seat down, then shouldn't it only be fair that they require us ladies to put it back up? For those poor men it can be a lose-lose situation, if they leave the seat up, we sit down - we get wet. If they try to "go" by leaving the seat down, we sit down - we get wet. I don't get up-set - I laugh now.

All I'm trying to say here is "What's the big deal". These are all little things, everyday things, and they only becomes a big deal if we make them a big deal. Choose wisely, your happiness may depend on it.