Driving home from work one night this week, a bug landed on my windshield at a stoplight.  It was kind of a reddish brown color, a cross between a flying ant and some kind of spider. 

When the light turned green, the wind picked up at a fast pace (I wasn't speeding...I swear!).  The bug struggled to stay on the windshield, one leg at a time lifting into the air and its little body twitching in the wind.  It was seriously like one of those old Saturday morning cartoons.  I couldn't help but laugh. 

Then, finally, the wind was just too strong and it went flying off into the sunset (literally!).

Sometimes we are like that bug, dealing with situations where we are flailing about and the winds of change or struggle overcome us.   Other times, we are the windshield, strong and resilient, holding our own against the challenges trying to carry us away.

It sure feels good to be the windshield.  I know that from personal experience.  I think that should be everyone's goal as often as possible and it's definitely achievable. 

The more you push yourself to maintain a positive perspective and stand strong during the winds of struggle and change, the less often you will let yourself be consumed by them.

I don't know what that bug was thinking as it was flailing about on my windshield, or even if it survived after it was swept away.  But one thing I do know is that we don't have to flail in the wind like it did; we have control over the way we handle our stressful situations.  

Creating positive habits has really helped me - here are just a few tips:

• Start every day with a positive thought, quote or memory.

• When life throws a challenge your way, think about the last challenge you worked through; remember that you survived it.

• Take that challenge and break it into logical pieces - then tackle them one at a time until you work through it.

• End every day with a moment of reflection and gratitude for the positive things in your life.

And above all else, always remember that you create your own happiness.  You have more power than you possibly realize over your perspective on life.  

Are you the bug or the windshield?  You choose...