Ok, I admit it. I have a problem with seeing the cup as half-empty. Not that I am a total pessimist or anything, sometimes I just take life too seriously. Before I didn't see that as a bad thing. "Hey. I'm just keeping it real with all of the stresses and struggles in life." *EEERRRTT* Wrong answer. It has taken some close friends getting dangerously frustrated with me to realize that I am far from ok in the joy department.
Whenever a person complains, they take a little bit out of each and every person around them. It can be straining, and also stressful. You think you are venting, but no. It ends up being just raw, harsh, complaining and criticism. You can preface it with the statement "I'm venting," but when that becomes an every day, every hour, even every couple of minutes thing, venting is out the window. How can we change our age-old habits? I admit, this is going to be hard. From birth we realize the benefits of complaining. Sin just makes us feel better, it's a fact! And excessive complaining... well believe it or not, that's a sin too. The Israelites were complaining in the desert for years!
I've realized that the only way to change my habits is to look for the happy things in life, and try to overlook the bad. That is the only way we will enjoy life! If we don't look for the sunshine, the darkness will bog us down. When people pour our and pour out help, energy, and sunshine on other people, they need people to fill them back up! It is our job to help fill up our friends. For that is what friends do, lift each other up. Friends are supposed to be a help not a harm. Think about it. Are your friends more stressed around you? Do they need a refill? If so, it's time to start looking for the joy - it's time to spread a little sunshine.
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