Ever been around someone who is negative? Of course we have. And generally, when we are, we feel like running for the nearest exit. Yet there are days, I too have an attitude that can chase folks off if I am not careful.
A friend of mine the other day reminded me, “You’re a deep thinker.” I had to ponder that a moment. (See what I mean!) It made me wonder if I need to watch that characteristic a bit more. We deep thinkers can drop into that melancholy state. And rather than simply pay a visit, we park there awhile.
But the negative people I am referring to just don’t seem to find the good or the upside to things. Even when you point them out, they almost argue with you to prove that the sky is falling. Or at least, they inform you that it will within time.
What we think about begins processing in our minds. In time, those thoughts then tell us where we should go. Do you follow that? If I chew on a thought like say, “Oh, I don’t feel well. Nope, not doing good.” You can bet by noon, I will be quite sick.
If I say about someone, “I don’t like her.” And I begin to think of all the reasons why, and keep going over them, you can be pretty sure I won’t be joining her for coffee anytime soon.
However, if I want to watch those calories, and I focus on that, I will be more careful with my food choices. Because it will be on my mind. If I am determined to have a good day. It will be so. If I want to be nice to people, and think about ways that I can be kind and thoughtful, it’s going to happen. I think you understand.
I found a few pithy comments and proverbs to back up my point. See what you think.
- “For as he thinks within himself, so he is” (Proverbs 23:7).
- “A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.” – Winston Churchill
- “Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute . . . dwell on these things” (Philippians 4:8).
- “It takes but one positive thought when given a chance to survive and thrive to overpower an entire army of negative thoughts.” – Robert H. Schuller
- “Therefore, prepare your minds for action” (1 Peter 1:13).
What’s in that head of yours today? Does it need some tweaking or say a bit of a tune-up?
If so, why not re-direct your thoughts, and point them in the right direction.
Just my thoughts on this very summer day.
S.