As you may or may not know, over the last few months, I have been on the start of a journey, to, hopefully, find my 'purpose' in life. Or at the very least, becoming a better, improved version of the old me.
This is working well so far and I'm already seeing the benefits of my new mindset, plus the rewards of treating other people in a more positive way.
This has led, to me being more aware of how I am in other peoples company, but also how people behave in my company.
Now, if you don't know me, I'll explain a little about my character.
I do tend to be quite a positive, happy type of person most of the time, although at some points over the last few years and up until a couple of months ago, if I got grumpy, I got very grumpy, that however has changed hugely recently (the grumpy part).
You may think these are good qualities to have, which in general they are, I love being me :-)
The trouble I have been having recently, which has led to me setting myself a little challenge, is the way other people react to me.
Now, as I said before I love being me and up until a couple of weeks ago, I wouldn't really try and change the way I am (me) in anyones company, I'm me, why try to be something else, right ??
This is something I do still believe, something I still try and live by.
But I have noticed, since I began to be more aware of how, I deal with people and people deal with me a few people can't cope with me.
You see a lot of the time and this happens more regularly now, as I become the 'new, better' me. I am too much for people to deal with (their words)
Let me explain, when I am happy, I have this huge ball of excitement, love and general happiness, inside which I struggle to contain, its like I have to impose and share it with everyone and anyone. Methods I have and do use, tend to be constant excitable chatter, singing, dancing, joking, general carrying on, talking (a lot), smiling and laughing (without reason, crazy I know).
Which, just looking at that lists, seems cool, eh ?
Unfortunately, some people can't cope with this (unless they are in the 'mood' for me) and try to dampen my spirit or tell me to stop singing, carrying on, talking so much etc
Which really, really (used to) annoyed me, I couldn't understand, why people would rather bring me down to their level of unhappy, grumpy state of mind, rather than let my happiness and energy raise their day up, even a little.
You'll know what I mean, when you're having a great day, you're in top form and enjoying the moment, when someone will ask you "Why are you so happy?" as if you really need a very special reason to have a smile on your face, that you're gladly sharing with any and everyone. Again this used to drive me nuts, why should I feel the need to explain why I'm smiling or happy ! As I say I would actually allow this to put me in a mood, strange eh !
So over the last week, I decided something must change, I was no longer willing to allow other peoples bad days, make my day worse.
Before I go on, I would like to clear something up.
I do appreciate I can be full, full on at times and not everyone can cope with that, thats not the problem I have, as I usually don't hang about with these kinds of people anyway. The issue I have is with people who love me, being me, but just when it suits their mood, when they're 'up' for it.
These are the ones that (used to) upset me most.
It was a constant guessing game, can I be happy with them today ? Will they tell me to calm down, be quiet ? If I try to be quiet, will they then ask me whats wrong, why amI grumpy ?? When I am in actual fact just trying to keep it all in.
This is what I decided to do about it, so no one has to deal with me, that can't.
After several weeks, realising who does and doesn't like duracell bunny Craig, and who I need to keep myself restrained with. I tested out the new Craig this week, when I was in a super, amazing mood, which as I say, happens more often now, than ever before I make sure I pass this on and share it, with the people who love it, whether this is in person, or by e-mailing, messaging some like minded people and just sharing some witty banter or just send a cool, funny message, thats what I'll do.
Whereas if I'm somewhere or with someone I know isn't 'in the mood' or not going to get anything from my happiness, I am learning to keep it all inside me, all the stupid nonsense, the carry on, the jokes everything.
Which, from the outside looking in, may seem like I have lowered my mood, to suit someone else, but nothing could be further from the truth, it has actually extended my 'happiness' period.
You see inside me, I am bubbling with excitement and happiness, (although outwardly, I'll be quiet and on 'their level') planning who I'm going to share all this love of life and joy with, just as soon as I can, as soon as I can get away from the 'downer' for want of a better word.
As I say I understand people, aren't happy 24/7, I'm certainly not. So I'm willing to let them stay in there 'woe is me' 'I'm having a bad day' 'not in the mood to be cheered up??' mood and I won't try to cheer them up, but more importantly I won't let them bring me down.
So far its working brilliantly and the ones who 'enjoy' me are getting more of me, the ones who don't aren't. Its a no lose situation.
I nearly said everyones happy, but that wouldn't be true now, would it.
So I will be carrying on this 'new' method of allowing myself to stay myself, while letting those around me, be whatever they want to be :-)
Last note, to those that think I'm having a go, trust me I'm not. If anyone appreciates how full on I can be at times, its me. I have to be Craig 24 hours a day, everyday.
You get me in small doses, every now and then.
But you know what I have made my life better, just by being in it :-) ha ha
This has probably turned into a slightly mad ramble, but hey ho
I am Craig Lowe, what else would you expect ?


