When Has Negativity Ever Helped Me?

Attitude of Gratitude.

Colossians 3:17 Encourages us that “whatever we do, whether in word or in deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus giving thanks to God the father though him.”

The New Year has begun. Thanksgiving has come and gone. The mad dash of Christmas capitalism has run its course. Now, smatterings of resolutions and reminders of the custom to set lofty goals are pinned to our social media timelines.

In the hustle to catch up after the holidays and chart a new course for the next 300+ days, how often do we just take to be grateful? Could you imagine being around people who were only thankful once or twice a year?

Some of you working in the retail business might feel like you only hear thank you once a year. 

Or maybe you're a parent, sometimes it feels like we have to remind our kids to be grateful every hour, on the hour.

Have you ever held the door for somebody, only for them not to say thank you? It's the kind of moment that makes me want to stop all the shoppers entering the store until the culprit is found and brought to justice. 

There's just something about hearing thank you. There is something about seeing joy expressed on another person's face when you compliment them or do a good deed for someone. 

There's a famous quip of wisdom, often called the golden rule. It says, "Treat others the way you want to be treated." Being a grateful person is just as important as being kind and compassionate. Expressing your thanks for help when you receive it, lets the other person know that you appreciate their help. 

Don't let the bad moments in life distract you from the good moments. Sometimes it is tempting to focus on the bad, but when that moment comes ask yourself, "how much has dwelling on the negatives ever helped me?"

Instead, make a commitment to stay grateful. Expressing an attitude of gratitude  each and everyday.