Ahhh, the Ides of March. Specifically, the Ides of March 1987. I entered the worst period of my life (to date) on that day. During that period my then-husband suffered a serious head injury. I thought it was personality-altering, but in retrospect, I suspect it opened my eyes to the personality that was always there. Shortly after that, my dog died, and my youngest sister was diagnosed with an eventually fatal brain tumor. My sister had the best outlook. During her initial hospitalization she said, “Don’t worry Grandma. Jesus is with me.” Her faith was strong, and reinforced all of our faiths.

I learned a lot during that time of my life. I’m thankful it’s behind me, but I grew in important ways, so I believe everything that happened needed to happen.

This month, we’re reading Scroll VI in Og Mandino’s The Greatest Salesman in the World.    This scroll focuses on mastering emotions.

The tides advance, the tides recede. Winter goes and summer comes. Summer wanes and the cold increases. The sun rises; the sun sets. The mood is full; the moon is black. The birds arrive; the birds depart. Flowers bloom; flowers fade. Seeds are sown; harvests are reaped. All nature is a circle of moods and I am a part of nature, and so, like the tides, my moods rise; my moods fall.

So, if you’re worried about your ever-changing moods, remember they are perfectly normal. In fact, “today’s sadness carries the seed of tomorrow’s joy.” Even though the changing moods are perfectly normal, never forget that how you approach them determines the outcome of any given day.

If I bring rain and gloom and darkness and pessimism to my customers then they react with rain and gloom and darkness and pessimism and they purchase naught. If I bring joy and enthusiasm and brightness and laughter to my customers they will react with joy and enthusiasm and laughter and my weather produces a harvest of sales and a granary of gold for me.

The important thing to remember is you choose. You are master of your emotions. Want a little help with that? Sign up below for the free 7 Day Mental Diet and informative email series that guides you along the path to success in that endeavor.