By: D. A. Slinkard
Sometimes life will get you down and it will feel like the entire world is against you. Even the most positive person you know will eventually become a little negative. The only people who do not have problems are found in the local cemeteries. Recently, I have been struggling being the positive influence that I take pride in being, and even I needed to hit the reset button. It seemed as if it did not matter what I tried, I just could not get my positive juices flowing. Have you ever been there?
I must admit I was in unchartered waters because it was a tough pill to swallow. Each week I give advice on how to be positive, how to have the right attitude, how to take the right approach. There I was and no matter what I did, no matter what I tried, I just could not get out of my own way. I felt as if my head was under water, and I was drowning. Was I ever going to break out of this funk I found myself in, and when would it end?
As I began reflecting on the events happening in my life, I began to realize I had a lot to be thankful for. There was just one area in my life that was clouding my perspective, but it seemed as if this area was the only thing I was focusing on. So many positive aspects in my life, but my mind and my brain were choosing to focus on the negative. Does this sound familiar to you? Too many people choose to focus on the negative aspects instead of looking at the positive things happening in their life.
It was at this time I realized I needed to do something different, and I had to take actions. I found myself a clean notebook, turned to the first page, and started writing. Each sentence started out with, “I am so thankful for…” and then I listed a reason as to why I was thankful. The creative juices began to flow quickly as my list started out as follows: “I am so thankful for my Saviour, Jesus Christ. I am so thankful for my beautiful wife, Mindy. I am so thankful for my beautiful daughters.”
As I began to write each reason as to why I was so thankful, I noticed something was happening. My attitude and my mood were suddenly beginning to shift, and the pendulum was beginning to gain momentum towards the positive vibes. Before I knew it, I had completed a major overhaul when it came to my attitude, and I could tell that I was back to being me. Praise God because I hated feeling the way I had felt! It did not take me long and this list was growing and growing. I looked at the piece of paper and I was amazed I could have even had one ounce of negative thought.
I had easily filled an entire notebook paper of reasons I was so thankful, and I felt silly I would have even been flirting with a negative attitude. I learned more about myself during this trying period because I was forced to dig a little deeper concerning my attitude. I can confidently say if you are struggling maintaining a positive approach in your life, I want you to do the exact exercise I did that helped break my funk. Simply take out a piece of paper and start writing out the sentence, “I am so thankful for…”
I believe whole-heartedly you will be pleasantly surprised at how many positive things are going on in your life that you did not realize. After you make this list, my next suggestion is to make sure you read this list daily, if not multiple times throughout the day. One approach you could take would be to read this list in the morning, at lunch, and at night. If you focus in on the positive, you are going to get positive results back, and this list is going to be key in realizing how much good you have going on.
There will be times we will all face having a negative attitude, but the question becomes — “How will you respond?” Our response will determine everything in our approach. If your response is to focus solely on the negative, then expect to get more negative. However, my question to you is — “What are some things you are so thankful for in your life?”
By: D. A. Slinkard
D.A. Slinkard would love your feedback. You can contact him at da.slinkard@gmail.com
April 19, 2024
