Outlook

A few weeks back a friend of mine was in a tough spot. She was operating in a deficit, compiled with car problems, yet her spirit was bubbling over. She had every right to complain, but she didn’t. I can’t remember what was going on in my own life at the time, but her perseverance gave me hope. So much so that I’m still reflecting on it. At the beginning of the year one of my instructors challenged our class not to complain for the first month. It worked so well in my life that I decided to continue for the next month. I didn’t realize how much I turned lemons into warheads. I can have one bad moment and then slip into being sour all day. Rewind…here’s how it plays in my head. I wake up late, and then I’m late to school on a cold day. I’m already NOT a morning person so then I complain that I didn’t get enough sleep and how much I hate getting up in the mornings. Then I bemoan not being a full-time writer who can get up when I want to and write when I want to. Then other negative thoughts pop up until it is a downward spiral. Thank God for my instructor for making me aware of just how much I complained and thought negatively. Thank God for my friend who remained joyful even during a rough season. You may not think that your positive attitude affects others, but it does, especially when people close to you know you are going through challenges. Remember the blog about going a different way? We all get hit with life’s problems. Will the flat tire before work derail your whole day, or will you plow through anyway with a positive outlook? I know. I’m working on it too.