Accentuate the positive…

You’ve got to accentuate the positive
Eliminate the negative
Latch on to the affirmative, don’t mess with Mister In-Between

You’ve got to spread joy up to the maximum
Bring gloom down to the minimum
Have faith or pandemonium is liable to walk upon the scene ~~Johnny Mercer

For some, winter is as welcome as any other season. For others, they would prefer it to be ninety degrees everyday. I once knew a woman who fit the latter.

Long before the first snowflake fell…before the temperature dropped below seventy…before winter coats and gloves were pulled from closets, she would begin to fret. As soon as Labor Day had passed, she began to wish for June.

Now is you live in Southern Indiana, you know that September can be as hot as any month…and yet, she couldn’t enjoy the hot weather that she loved so much…because winter was on its way.

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens. ~~Ecclesiastes 3:1 

A time for everything…

How much of our lives do we spend wishing for things to be different? How much of what we complain about is beyond our control? Certainly the weather is…but what else? Do you deal with difficult people and wish they would have a change of attitude? Do you work at a job you dislike, but cannot afford to leave it? Do you see those around you struggling and long to show them a different way…yet they resist?

Is there anything in your circumstance that you can control? What about your attitude? Your outlook?

I am not a big fan cold weather, but I love the snow. I can think of few things in life that is more beautiful that a bright red cardinal in a snow-covered tree. The contrast is amazing! In each season, there are things I look forward to…and things I dislike. But my focus is what makes the difference. It doesn’t eliminate the things I dislike; but it keeps me from becoming bogged down with them.

Spring and Fall always mean allergies and sinus infections…they also mean planting and harvesting.  New flowers and beautiful leaves. Warmer weather…and cooler weather. And of course, good fishing weather!

I can’t handle the heat of summer as well as I did when I was younger. But I love sitting on the deck on summer evenings, hearing the neighborhood kids playing, sipping a cool drink and watching the birds splash in the pond. I love making home-made ice cream and cooking on the grill…fresh tomatoes and okra from the garden.

When I worked, I encountered difficult people…some, whom it seemed, were determined to make me as miserable as they appeared to be. Now I stay home all day. Most days, the only other person I see is Jim. I miss working and having that social interaction. But I am more aware of what people who are shut-ins endure every single day.

I try to keep a positive attitude. Oh, I have my moments, but, through prayer, they are few. God still has a plan for my life. He’s still in control…of all things. I may stumble…but I won’t stay down.

If there is a “winter” in your life…what can you do to change it to a “summer”? I pray that you will look to God and let him strengthen and encourage you.

Remember that in order to enjoy this…

we must have this…