There are people who just zap my energy. I mean they are very draining people. They talk too much and say too little. They are usually complaining, or in crisis, or disagreeing, or tired, or hurting or in some kind of mess. I mean come on, there are times when we all go through things like that but I am talking about people who are constantly going through things like that. They often ask me, “Why do things like this happen to people like me?” I want to say to them, “I don’t know why things like that happen to people like you. All I can say is, things like that usually happen to people like you.” Most of the time these folks are their own worst problem. I just do not want to be remembered like that. Do you? So what can you and I do so we are not remembered as a drain, a pain or just plain lame? Here are three quick suggestions to try.
1. Smile – Hey you control your lips baby! Not me and not anyone else, YOU do. Did you know a smile is very contagious? Try it, go out there and smile at people. Most people will smile back. You might even get a smile out of a very draining person. They just have problems initiating a smile. A smile makes me and I believe it makes others feel better. I want to be remembered for my smile not a scowl.
2. Talk Positive – You don’t have to talk negative. Again, you control the lips, nobody else does. Only one person can really make you become a negative person and that is you. If you do not have anything positive to say, hold your breath for a long time and when you finally take that breath of air, thank God for it. Negative people are usually not thankful people. You ever notice that? Oh there are times when you have to talk about problems, aches, pains, etc. but listen to me – You Control the Lips and you do not have to be a habitual complainer. There are people who need to get off their but. “It is a good day but it might rain.” “That was a great meal but I did not like the cabbage.” So and so is a great person but, but, but, but….People need to get off their but! I want to be remembered as one who encouraged others; One that looked upon the bright side every chance I had.
3. Look Forward – I choose to hope for tomorrow. that tomorrow will be bigger and brighter than today. I choose to believe that there are memories yet to be made. I always have something on my calendar that I am really looking forward to. On the calendar is a get together with my children and grandchildren, a wedding day for a friend’s son, a Community Fun Day Event, the opportunity to go away with a dear friend for a couple of days, a get away with my wife. Hope needs to be very alive on our journey. How about you, my friend? Do you choose to be hopeful? Or do you understand as do I that HOPE is a wonderful gift from God. I hope to see my parents and brother again some day. They are in heaven I hope to make a difference in other people’s lives. I hope to see many people who are lost and going the wrong direction in their life turn to the one who can give them hope and joy and peace, the Lord Jesus. Wow! I choose to look forward and I want to be remembered as a forward thinker not a yesterday’s gone thinker. May my life be remembered as one of hope and encouragement.
I choose to smile, and to talk positive and to look forward as often as I am able. As a result, life is and has been and I believe will be, quite a journey of hope.