Becoming "Glass Half-Full"

I am, by nature and nurture, a "glass half-empty" person. My husband, my sweet, awesome husband is by nature and nurture, a "glass half-full" person. In the 12-1/2 years we've been married, the most important thing I've learned from him is to be positive. I remember the moment my heart turned. You see, I thought positive people were less sensitive, less aware and critical than I. I thought positive, upbeat people just didn't see what I saw, felt what I felt, knew what I knew. {Ugh.}

I can picture us standing in our bedroom, each of us tidying up [or "redding up" as we say in some parts of PA,] discussing something - I don't even know what, when I realized that my dear husband chooses to be positive. He sees. He feels. He knows. But he chooses wisely.

I have since then practiced being a "glass half-full" person. Yes, it can be learned. Am I always cheerful and positive? Umm that would be a negative. Is my first thought and comment always positive? Negative again on that one. Believe you me, I can b*tch with the best of 'em! We tell Boo that he needs to practice at being strong - in body, heart and mind. That memorizing verses strengthens his heart and mind. That doing homework is practicing. And to take the ole proverbial taste of my own medicine, it took practice to become a positive person. Or shall I say for myself it takes practice.

Why bother, you ask? Yes, it's more pleasant. You'll be more popular at cocktail parties and jewelry parties. Yes, it helped me to improve our marriage. I related to my in-laws better. But here's the key for me. How can I be negative and unappreciative and always notice the bad things, when my gracious God, my Heavenly Father has given me all things? Romans says all things work together for good to those that love Him. Jesus said what father, when a child asks for bread, will give him a stone? The Old Testament says God gathers us to His breast like a hen with her chicks. Then, do I turn around and scoff in His face?

So, to borrow from Hippocrates:

#1. First, do no harm.

For many of us, and especially my gender, that means don't say anything.
Nothing. Nada. Stop. Take a breath.

#2. Think of something positive to say.

Anything. You can do it. I know you can.

#3. Say the positive thing. Only.

It may hurt and you may wince, but you can do it! You do it every time
you look at your toddler's drawing and coo, "Oh that's be-yooootiful!"

#4. Don't say the negative thing that first came into your head.

Make a note in your head not to do /say/ see/act/wear what you thought
was so aweful, but keep the words to yourself.

Lift it up to the Spirit and ask Him to help you. If you want to, that is. We use the phrase with Boo, "is that a wise choice or a sad choice?" so much that my siblings tease me about it. The point being, that our behavior, our very thoughts are our choice.

Now drink. Let's drink from this life God has given us!

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