When things like that happen, I have two thoughts; either what I had done was not what God wanted done and/or it was not done well or it was those sneaky little forces making me hit the wrong button. I choose to go with those sneaky little forces because since when does hitting enter make things vanish? I am choosing to believe we are onto something for today. Can we all believe that too?
Since the sixties, I have not watched the news or read newspapers. In the sixties, when I had long hair and rode a chopper, the establishment was not what i wanted to be part of. Occasionally, I have the opportunity to catch a few snippets of the news in the morning with a slice of toast while my wife gets ready for work. Today was one such day.
I must say that the ratio of good news to doom and gloom is (and I admit I am making a comment, not writing a thesis based on exhaustive research) ten to one. When I watch the new, such as today, I realize my decision to avoid it was a good one. If what I see on such shows gives a real overview of the state of mankind, I need to buy a tent, shotgun, 10,000 cans of spam and move into the wilderness. It would seem Chicken Little has become a TV producer, although I don't believe the sky is really falling.
I believe my reaction would not be the norm because I don't watch such shows very often. I am still sensitive to what they "report" and put on the air. My sensitivity makes me want to scream as I wander off into the wilderness with my 10,000 cans of spam. My cries of , "is there nothing good in the world?" and "hope is lost, we are doomed!". To quote a wise man (Charlie Brown) "Good Grief!"
Every single day, we hear tons of bad news. We hear how bad the economy is, we hear of murder, crime, bad politicians, school shootings and on and on and on. How in the world do we manage to get up every day! We get up every day because it is our nature to hope and believe that something good will be out there today.
Keep that thought in mind. Have you ever been nasty, short, mean, judgmental, critical, gossipy, or mocked a co-worker, server, clerk, mechanic, repairman or any other person? Has anyone ever been nasty, short, mean, judgmental, critical, gossipy, or mocked you? Isn't that adding to all the bad news? Isn't that falling into line with what we hear every day? When we act like that or are treated like that, where is that hope that there is good in the world that I got out of bed for?
Are you an encourager or discourager? Do you create smiles or frowns? Do you leave tears of joy in your wake or tears of pain? Who do you choose to be today?
I have spent most of my life since high school looking for something good in people. I realized in high school that when everyone around me is making fun of someone, it is not hard to counter them with something nice that is easily found. A person may not dress well but can love their pets. A person may not get the best scores in class or do the best job at work but volunteers at a hospital. Because we may see a person in a moment of time or in one aspect of their life does not mean we know all about them. Think of a person you have been critical of lately and tell me there is nothing that you can find in them to make a good comment about. It has been my experience that i can always find something to compliment (honestly and sincerely) someone about. To be honest, a public verbal battery of a clerk may have more to do with the person being aggressive than the clerk. I imagine, it is the angry person who is late, or behind schedule, or in a bad mood.
I have a motto, "wherever I go, I leave a smile behind". It takes a moment to watch someone and find something to compliment them about. Look you can mock a server or cashier all you want but could you begin to do what they do? Could you do it during the holidays? Could you take all the verbal abuse they take without whacking someone with a plate or grocery cart?
I'll tell you that after spending a day looking around a giant home improvement store for a part to repair something in my house, then having to return the next day to continue my search, the people who walk you right to that part in 30 seconds should be wearing a cape and super hero outfit! The people we see every day, the people who serve us in one capacity or another, the customer who comes to us for our expertise, and any other human being we pass may just need a kind word.
I tell people all the time I appreciate what they do for me, I appreciate that they are there at those horrible hours to help me rather than being at home with their families. I appreciate people who are there to help me out when most of the human race is off for a holiday. Can we not go on for pages about all the sacrifices and abuse they live with that translates to making our life better?
We hear too much bad stuff, let's share some good stuff. Let' s compliment and encourage those around us.Let's hold a door or an elevator with a smile. Let's compliment the proficiency with which someone does their job. You may cross paths with a person who may actually be horrible at their job, but they may have great hair, or a great smile, or have a cool shirt on.
Can we agree to look for the good? Can we agree to compliment rather than criticize? Can we agree to create smiles rather than frowns? When you do, you will be surprised at how much more wonderful the world is. Have you ever realized that when you have just bought something new it seems you see it everywhere? If you were to buy a new truck, your would see that truck everywhere, am I right? So if we decide to be filled with love and joy, we will see love and joy everywhere. I can say that is true from my experience.
By the way have I ever told you how much I appreciate you. I appreciate you checking in once in a while to see what is going on with Grounds for Love. By the way, you also have great hair!
There may be someone you run into today that is having the worst day ever and would enjoy a compliment. We all have more smiles than we need, so let's go out there today and give a few away!