This Thing We Call Life (2/8)

This Thing We Call Life…

Grandfather was one who had a very humorous side and a very serious side. One day he said to me: “Eddie, one of the most important things for you to do in life is to kiss each girl at least once, and kiss the pretty ones twice! That is the spice of life.” I asked him a couple months later how he determined which was the prettier girl, he responded: “Silly boy, they all are pretty!”

On the serious side he also had his opinion on how we live our life’s. He said there are two ways to live your life and I should be very careful on how I make my choices. If you believe that all the miracles happened in the days of Christ and that the days of miracles are over, you are going to be a pessimist. Your life will consist mainly of negativity and you will have a poor me attitude. It will appear that everything goes wrong, no matter how hard you try, because you have already decided you will fail. You will feel that your problems are obstacles that you just can’t get around. It will be a very unhappy life.

On the other hand, he said, if you believe miracles can happen everyday, look at your problems as challenges to grow and that there is something positive is every situation in life, than your life will be happy, full of promise and you will walk in confidence that you will succeed in every task.

Over the years I have found that to be true. Most unhappy people I know are very pessimistic and negative. They feel everything they do ends up in failure or not complete. They feel there are no miracles left in life and almost never smile.

On the other hand, I have found those who are positive in life seem happier, smile all the time and live their life as though nothing can go wrong. There is no obstacle they can’t get around or over. Life, for them, is full of promise.

It is the choices we make in life that determine the quality of our future. As Grandfather said, make your choices carefully and live your life as though there are no boundaries. Be happy and look for the miracles that happen everyday all around us.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:8-9

It’s called Attitude!!

Do we complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses?

Put into perspective – it is how we look at things in life that determine the path we follow. If we choose to be upset rather than letting things go we also choose to allow these things to control our future. If we choose to turn the other cheek we allow ourselves to grow and learn the meaning of love. This is the beauty of life, we have the choice to determine what and how we feel about just about anything in life. This is how we develop and build our life.

Remember, the only thing you have complete control over is your attitude. You alone are responsible for making yourself happy. Do not depend on others to keep you smiling and positive. Choose to be optimistic. Avoid complaining, especially when the things you are complaining about can’t be avoided or changed.

When I was growing up I was taught many sayings about attitude and feelings. One of my favorite is: It doesn’t matter how many times you stumble, what matters is how many times you pick yourself up and continue forward.

Life is full of bumps and obstacles, it is how we handle these bumps and obstacles that form our mindset and attitude. Choosing to take each one as a growing experience shows strength and courage on your part.

I find the most happy people I meet bounce back from disappointment, while most negative people I meet are always complaining about something. It is an amazing contrast on how they look at life, how they love their fellow man and achieve their personal goals.

One lives in darkness, complaining there is no way out while the other looks at the little light at the end of the tunnel and focuses on reaching it. There is always a light that will lead us out of our darkness, it is called love.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23

Live your life with love for all you meet and you will find happiness everywhere.

What we do with love is never lost.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed