Thursday, November 15, 2007

Turn Negatives into Positives

I have been really busy lately, at work and outside of work, so I haven't had a lot of time to visit and comment on blogs, or to write much in my own. But I woke up really early this morning and couldn't get back to sleep. While I was trying to get back to sleep I had this blog post rolling around in my head so I finally just gave in and got up so I could start writing it. I'm definitely a morning person so that's when my mind works the best.

When I got up and went to the bathroom, I noticed the toilet seat had been left up by my husband, so I had to put it down. When I did that I started thinking about how I'm always hearing women complain about men who leave the toilet seat up. Honestly, I don't see what the big deal is about it. All you have to do is put it down. It doesn't take a lot of effort or strength. Is it really worth spending your time and energy to complain about it? It's really not worth complaining about to me. If that is something that annoys you or makes you complain, why not turn it into something positive. Every time you come to a toilet seat that your husband or son has left up, why not thank God that you HAVE a husband or son. Wouldn't it be a lot worse to always have the toilet seat exactly the way you want it, but not have that husband who loves you and takes care of you and your family? I would imagine there are some mothers whose sons are in Iraq who would love to find a toilet seat left up by that son.

After this, when I was trying to get back to sleep, I was trying to think of other negative things that can be turned into positives. Here are some that I thought of....

When you are at your job and your work seems to be piling up, instead of complaining about it, thank God that you have a job and that He is providing for your needs through this job. Look at all the extra work as job security.

When co-workers start to get on your nerves, thank God that you have co-workers and you don't have to do it all by yourself.

When you encounter a rude person out in public, in stores or on the road driving, rather than letting them get your temper flared up, thank God for showing you what it looks like to be rude and ask Him to help you to be the opposite.

If you go to brush your teeth and find the toothpaste cap was left off, or someone squeezed the tube in the middle, thank God that you have teeth to brush (and then go buy your own tube and hide it.)

How about your email inbox being full of spam? Complaining won't change this. Just be thankful that you have the internet at your fingertips and think about all the good things that the internet provides.

So, your challenge for today is to turn something negative into a positive. If you are able to do it, let me know what the negative was and how you turned it into a positive. My own personal challenge came as I was leaving for work. I went to the fence to tell the dogs good-bye and to give them a pat on the head, and Emperor jumped up and put her dirty paws on my white sweater. I didn't have time to go in and change, so today I am wearing Empy's paw print. Hmmm....how can I turn that into a positive thought?

**Note to readers** My interest in having a positive attitude has come about from being around people who are very negative. It made me more aware of negative attitudes and has made me not want to be that way. I do my share of complaining, but it is something I try not to do if I can help it. However, I want to make sure anyone who reads my blog knows where my heart is. I do like positive thinking and I believe that our attitude affects every aspect of our lives, but for me it goes so much deeper than just positive thinking. For me, a positive attitude comes as a result of my relationship with Jesus Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Yes, I do believe that I still have a choice about what kind of attitude I will have each day, but when my ability to be positive is at its weak points, I have a supernatural power to draw from and that is the power of God through the Holy Spirit. Having the knowledge and believing in my heart that God is ultimately in control and that He doesn't make mistakes gives me the strength to handle difficult situations that come about as a part of life. I have never read a self-help book or anything by Norman Vincent Peale. I'm sure those books have great advice and I might read one some day. But for now, I want to saturate my mind with the Word of God, the greatest self-help book on the market for all time.

18 comments:

Stylin said...

Hi Kathy<
Well,i will try and find something today !!Will come back to comment

Kay Day said...

I really struggle with negativism. And I never thought I did, but God has been revealing it to me. So I have been making a real effort to do exactly as you suggested. It takes a very intentional effort, but it feels good!
One thing I remember was when I went to Women of Faith and we had to walk many blocks to our hotel. It was very hot out and not much fun for walking. But after I complained about the heat, I caught myself (too late, but still) and said, "I'm so glad it's not storming, and that we don't live where it's humid!!"

stacys1175 said...

very nice post I enjoyed reading it. it also got me thinking about what i can do to turn sum negitves in to positves. so when the girls get home from school and they complanin about there day im going to give them positve feed back :) thank you

Sandi said...

Like the post. I too have been busy but I've been looking at all I'm not getting done. I will turn this into a positive and look at how much I have gotten done. I will Thank the Lord I am capable to do things for myself when there are so many people who need to relie on others to just sit up in the morning.

Michelle said...

I've always struggled with negativity, my mother was one of the most negative people I knew. I'm still struggling with that, but I wqill try and let you know how that went. Great post!

Sindi said...

The post was fantastic, I loved it. I do pray every morning for God to give me the strength to over look rude people and to not be rude myself. I also hide my own tube of tooth paste. HE HE

Here is a negative turned positive: My feet are always hurting because I have been standing a lot more to do more house cleaning , but my calf muscles are starting to look great because of it. HE HE HE HE HE :)

Missy said...

Kathy - awesome post! Sorry you were having trouble sleeping, though. I have to admit - there are days that I tend to be one of those negative people. Today was one where I felt like I had one nerve left and everyone was getting on it! OOOPS - major negative!!! I am thankful for my family, my job, and so many other things in my life. Thank you for the reminder and for the testimony at the end. Peter tells us to always have an answer for the faith we have...

Kathy said...

Ok, here's mine...when my dog put her paw print on my clean white sweater and I didn't have time to go in and change, I thought about the reason her paws were so dirty. It was because it had rained some during the night, so the soil was moist and sticking to her paws. It then made me so thankful for the rain because we have been under drought conditions for so long now.

You have all done really well in turning something negative into something positive. Starting out with one each day might be the start of a great new habit!

bp said...

It is always a blessing to read your posts. I will be watching for something today to turn into a positive. Have a great day.

Amel said...

BEAUTIFUL post, Kathy! It's a WONDERFUL reminder to live day-in and day-out with a positive attitude. :-))))

Stylin said...

Hi Kathy,
I am having a trying day and am staying positive because of this post!!!
Thanks again for it

Nina said...

Kathy,
I needed this post. I've turned into a negative thinker over the years, and I can see my kids picking it up from me. That makes me very sad. But I have tried lately to be more positive and your post has challenged me. Especially the part about the toilet seat! ;)

Amel said...

Hi, Kathy,

Go claim your award here:

I've Got A Friend in You Award

Sindi said...

Kat,
Hi! I have an award for you but from what I can see Amel has also award it to you so you have recieved a double award. I guess that makes you extra special, HE HE HE HE:)

bp said...

I thought of one yesterday. We were driving to an appt. and got slowed down because of a funeral procession. After it passed I realized I could look at the waiting positively and be thankful it wasn't my loved one.

Karen said...

Great post !! Totally agree.

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