Bad attitudes stink, so does bad gas. They affect the offender internally, the negative Nancy may try to shield those in close proximity, but the damage has already been done. Friends, family, even strangers will retreat and then keep a safe distance until the toxicity clears. One may think they are covert, masking the repugnant haze with a spritz of perfume, but there is no hiding the fact that their attitude stinks. 

As I ventured yet again to my regular weekend destination, the local home improvement store, I looked forward to discovering items that newly adorn that bright orange clearance tag. I also looked upon my entrance to see who was working the checkout lanes. Much to my dismay, not only was my favorite checker not working, the only lane open was home to an employee that belongs on an elevator with a group of people that just ate beans and cabbage. At least then his attitude wouldn't be the only thing that stinks there. 

My list checked off, I even found some treasures I didn’t even know I needed, and I headed to the front of the store. Mr. Grumpy is waiting for me with a scowl on his face, scrunched shoulders, and an overall look of disgust. Given that it was a beautiful Sunday morning, I wasn’t going to let his negative attitude intrude on me. With a smile and a hello, I entered his lane. He saw the five gallon bucket of paint and the forty pounds of cat litter and immediately Mr. Grumpy turned into Mr. Infuriated. 

Given that this trip to the store was for my Mother, the following words of wisdom are attributed to the insight she passed onto me.

Everybody Farts: We have all had moments in time where we are crawling out of our skin. At times for no reason at all, there was no fuse that was lit, no fuel added to the fire. Yet there are instances where we are able to pinpoint the exact minute, or the definite cause of the growing unpleasantness that demands to be released. Everybody has bad days, those days where the internal battle to hold onto any ounce of positivity is more strenuous than squeezing your cheeks during an interview. It’s normal and it’s ok. However, it’s what you do with those insistent bubbles that matter. Let it out, everybody farts. 

The Only Bad Gas: The only bad gas is the gas you won’t let out. Those early rumbles of negativity creeping up through your body will soon become an uncontrollable emotional explosion, if not addressed properly. Most people know when they are beginning to feel gloomy, cyclical, or downright hostile. Take a pill, take a walk, get the bad out before those in your circle are subjected to a shroud of misery. Everybody farts, but no one wants to smell yours. 

Never Trust a Toot: You have plastered on a smile all day. You stayed outwardly positive and full of sunshine, your customers, peers, friends, and family have no inkling of the trouble brewing deep down inside. Finally the day is over, you are alone for the first time in hours. You can take a moment to scowl, curse at the keyboard, to let it out. As tempting as it may be to allow the negativity rip, take caution. You can’t be sure no one will see (or hear) your eruption of disdain. Getting caught having a blowout will leave you walking away with more than mud on your face.

The expectation is not that we be positive all the time. Bad things happen, people get frustrated, knocked down, feel like a pile of poo. It's what we do to overcome those feelings that intrude and attempt to overtake our normal state of tranquility and optimistic disposition that matter.

Never be ashamed of having a bad day, own it, accept it, fix it, and move on.

Farts are funny (again, thanks Mom), bad attitudes are not.