Don't be too hard on yourself when you're frustraded over a mistake

Its very easy to "beat yourself up" when you do something wrong. It is hard to own up to your mistake but most take it pretty hard. On Monday my roommate had locked his keys into his room and did not know what to do. He was frustrated, yelling out every curse word that is known to man, and being negative about himself and I couldn't help to think, "Is this guy out of his mind? Does he realize what he is saying?" This is a guy who is very willing to help when someone is in need, a very good father to 6 kids when they come over to visit, a hard worker at doing the construction in the basement, and he has a fun personality. I couldn't believe what he was saying about himself and it dawned on me.. This is how I react when I get frustrated and upset.

I totally blame myself.. So I did what my friends and family do when I am in his shoes.. I calmly sat him down and I told him that it could of been much worse. He could of been locked out of the house in the middle of the night while I am at work.. So I asked him what he had to do that is so important, "I have to be at Lowes in 20 minutes for a job interview and I need a tie, my keys and my cellphone" he quickly replied.. I told him how willing I was to let him borrow one of my many ties and that I could take him to the Lowes he didn't like that idea at all.. he was like "NO NO NO, I will be okay..", I then let him know how he didn't have much of a choice so as I was in the car I talked to him a bit about his behavior and how he needs to take a step back from the situation take a deep breath and think about the positive aspect about himself..

Its kind of funny how a little mistake like this could just make you do a total 180 and make you the opposite person that you are. I know when I am juggling so many things at once I am bound to mess up on one of them. When you are in the heat of the moment its kind of difficult to catch the way you are acting and calm yourself down unless someone is there by your side.

I recall one time I was having brain farts right and left and at the gas station I forgot my pin number so I called my mom to come down to loan me some money because I couldn't remember those 4 digits to my ATM and I didn't have a credit card at the time.. So she came and lent me some money and then after I was finished pumping gas I went to open my door and it was locked, as I reached in my pocket to get my keys, they weren't there.. So I reached in my other pocket and same thing.. EMPTY and then I went back in the gas station to see if I left them at the counter and nope.. So I ran back to my car and there they were in my cup holder just by the center console.. I was so mad at myself I reacted just like Juan did.. I then called my mom in panic.. when she answered the phone I yelled.. "MOM, I DID SUCH A STUPID THING, I LOCKED MY KEYS IN MT CAR" She calmly told me it was alright. and she asked me if I had a spare.. I told her where it was in my room in my room and she went and got it and then came back to the gas station and gave me my spare and while she was getting it I called up my brother Brent because I knew he is very understanding and he knows me most out of my other 2 brothers. Brent told me that no one is perfect and mom would be understanding and she was.. she just reminded me no matter what it is, it will be solved and just try to be a little bit more alert.

I guess things do brush off from the parents to their children no matter what age because I did exactly what my mom did when Juan was flipping out. I am so blessed to have a such caring and loving mother. I couldn't ask for a better mom.. My step-dad reminds me all the time how lucky my brothers and I are to have her as a mom.. She really is something else.

So when you are in the heat of the moment of being frustrated and acting all out of whack.. Just take a step back.. collect your thoughts... Think about the positives and then you will feel a thousands time better as before, it seems hard but it works.