MOOD

Thoughts from Ken

There are mood builders and mood busters. They can come from anywhere. Anytime. They can be physical, mental or spiritual. 

You are sitting in your favorite lawn chair, watching the sun rise, planning your day, when all of a sudden, a cluster of butterflies ascend to the plants beside you, pausing for awhile. They flit around you. One lands on your hand. How sweet. A sense of well being envelopes you. In contrast, same chair, same day, about 12 hours later, recounting your day, when a swarm of mosquitoes descend on your body. Mood buster - run! 

Let's check out smells. Where we live in Southern Ontario, there are prevailing winds, west winds mostly, but a south east wind is very infrequent, maybe 5-10 days a year, generally followed within 24 hours by rain. But our forefathers may have been onto something when building barns in relationship to their house. A large majority are built south east of the house, therefore, mitigating a constant odor from the cows, horses, pigs, chickens, etc. 

One day, on our farm, I decided to clean out a large box stall. Mission done, large pile outside. A day or 2 later, when it started to heat up - well - just the rottenest small in the world. Of course, the next day was when my wife had a spring garden party take place and guess what? Here comes that south east wind. Contrast that to 24 hours later. Same yard. Its May. Apple blossoms and lilacs blooming. Other flowers contributing - the aroma is euphoric. You just want to stand there and keep taking long breaths and thinking happy thoughts.

Then there are body odors of all kinds, from foot to mouth, male and female, offset by my favorite body wash that my wife likes so much or that man slayer perfume that she uses on special occasions. Tons of more physical things you can think of I’m sure, for mood makers. Facial expressions, life changes, menopause, phone calls (good or bad), relationships, family, jobs, being sleep deprived. 

That brings us to mental things like past memories. Your first date with your sweetheart when you fell madly in love or tragedies that have occurred to all of us and keep coming back to our minds. That's another great M word. What we allow our minds to play back for us or look forward to, will really dictate our mood. The Bible says in Phil 4:8 to think on whatever is good, excellent, worthy of praise. This will help dictate your mood.

Lastly – spiritual influences in our lives can offset moods. The Bible says in John 10:10 that Satan (the deceiver) comes to us to steal, kill and destroy. Steal our joy. Kill any good you may do or desire to do. And destroy relationships, lively hoods, and your well being. That’s a mood buster. So, guard your mood. We haven't always done that well. But we are still learning. Our marriage is still a work in progress. Or rather, we are still a work in progress.