“Angry Girl Inhales Waffle Cone”

Today’s headline might have read something like this in my world.  It was a rough day. After biking home, I took a swift walk to the park and unloaded my frustrations. My mom patiently listened on the phone, as I told her about everything going on in my world and then she said “I love you” and goodnight.

Haight Ashbury Ben & Jerry’s

On the walk back, I suddenly had a craving for a chocolate bar. I have managed to incorporate most “no” items back into my daily food cycle, but the sea salted almond chocolate bar has still eluded me. As I approached my neighborhood market, I noticed the Ben & Jerry’s store on the corner. I’ve only been there once in my 2 years of living in San Francisco, but the little girl inside me really wanted a waffle cone. The adult side of me protested momentarily and quickly relinquished saying, “Why the hell not?”

Like a Kid in an Ice Cream Store

I entered and there they were, all the flavors and the huge waffle cones, which came with my choice of sprinkles, Oreos, or plain chocolate. While ordering, I jokingly mentioned to the ice cream guy that the little girl inside me needed a waffle cone. He responded by saying, “Well, it’s good that you’re even in touch with that little girl and listening.”

After careful deliberation and sampling the pumpkin flavor, I went classic: large chocolate-covered waffle cone with sprinkles with 2 scoops of ice cream—chocolate chip cookie dough and mint chocolate chip. $7.25 later, I had my treat, which I ate before dinner.

So why waffle cones?

I write this post not to encourage everyone to go out to Ben & Jerry’s, although it is tasty but because we all have bad days. We all get frustrated. We all feel angry or discouraged at times. I’m an idealist, so I often focus on the positive in this blog and the make-it-happen attitude because I genuinely do believe that a positive mindset makes a drastic difference in life and that we are all capable of more than we ever imagined if we just give ourselves that chance, but some days just suck.

Illustration by Reese Kolar, 2nd Episode Guest

We’re also human. 6 Months to Live is not just about what we would do if we had 6 months to live, it’s about life.  And life can be tricky.  It can be difficult and deeply frustrating to know that we’re all trying our very best and maybe things turn out the way we’d like, and other times they don’t.

As a child, I thought adults had it together.  I thought they knew everything.  I thought, “When I’m an adult, I’ll know…”  Now that I am one, I look around me and realize that adults of all ages are still figuring it out and that there’s no one right way or approach to life.    At first, this seemed distressing. My inner voice kept crying out, “You’re 28, and you still are figuring out what you want to do with your life.  What’s wrong with you?”

There’s nothing wrong with me or with anyone.  When I got over my initial disillusionment that no one has it all figured out, I found this thought to be incredibly freeing.  Life is what we choose to make it.  There is no one right way.  It’s okay to not know.  It’s okay to be afraid.  Moreover, it’s okay to give voice to these feelings and doubts because we all have or have had them.

I was struck with a powerful image this past weekend.  We all have a light to shine.  There is no need to hide your light because you’re in a dark room.  Show your light and others will see that it’s okay to show theirs.

What are some of your funny tough day moments or revelations?