Yesterday ended well. It started quite nicely, too. But around midday, I was crying mayday, and honestly, I had created the melee so I take full responsibility.

Yep, I own every bit of my frustration, because it all was a result of my own limitation. I had a writing goal and a plan to accomplish said goal, but I also had much to do as a wife and mom, and when all those things were not playing out as I had planned, my fear of failure quickly sabotaged my good intentions.

My frustration got the best of me, and I took it out on my family.

It’s OK to have goals and plans as long as those goals and plans have some flexibility to keep your family first where they’re supposed to be.

So, these are a few takeaways from my observations of frustration yesterday.

— Flexibility is so much better than rigidity. Being able to bend will keep us from breaking.

— The “best laid plans” truly are “best” when you lay them down. I don’t mean give them up, but instead, let them go. Don’t hold onto them too tightly because when you do, their grip gets a hold on you.

— Frustrations are often more situational than relational. Our beef is usually with a circumstance or situation, not with the innocent bystanders who merely witness the frustration. It’s usually the unspoken or unmet expectations that frustrate the situation.

So, what do you say we all learn a few lessons from my day yesterday? Let’s be flexible, gracious with our people, and quick to pivot when the rigid road we’re on is leading to destination frustration. The scenery on the path of flexibility is much more peaceful and a lot less stressful.