The Power You Hold

No one likes to feel down and discouraged. (Right?) Living in this world, though, means we will feel things that don’t feel good. People hurt us, we witness injustices, we experience disappointments. However, I think that we don’t have to be as sad or frustrated as we are so much of the time! Our mindsets can change how we feel on the inside, and how those around us feel, and I think if we tried to be more positive we wouldn’t experience as much discouragement and discontentment.

Negativity is draining (if you haven’t noticed). Whether you’re the one being negative or you have to be around it and listen to it, it can take a lot out of you. I really don’t enjoy being around complaining and talk of bad, sad, and frustrating things. It disheartens me and I tend to grow frustrated when it’s ongoing. I like to be a good listener and let people vent to me, because sometimes that’s what will help someone feel better, but when it’s more than just occasional, it can be taxing mentally and physically. When I’m in a tough situation with someone, their mentality and how they handle the situation can really determine my own mood. If I’m working on something with someone and they’re complaining, it makes the job more miserable for me, but if the other person is upbeat and encouraging, I feel so much better! I think our words and moods reflect off each other and can either cause friction or a closer bond. It doesn’t feel good to be around a complainer -or even just someone who isn’t very friendly even if they aren’t speaking- but when around a positive, smiling person the world feels just a little bit better and more bearable.

We have control. Not over the affairs of the world, not over our government, not over our neighbors, not over the people we live with. But we do have control. We have control over ourselves. What we do and say and think. How we act and what we put into our minds and dwell on. You may not be able to control the world events going on on the other side of the world, but what you can control is how much time you spend watching or reading the news. You can’t control how other people are choosing to live their lives, but you do have control over how much time you spend on social media and who you follow on it. No matter how much you don’t like that you can’t control something beyond your capability, the truth doesn’t change. Almost everything is out of your control. But… You are fully in control of yourself. And your mindset and actions impact those around you more than you probably realize. A small act of kindness or a small unkind remark can do a lot. Probably things you will never know. But just because you won’t always see how your actions impact others won’t lessen the effect they have.

Even just a smile can set the tone for an interaction. When I’m met with a smile, I feel more confident and like myself, but if I’m met with an unfriendly appearance, I will just want to get the interaction over with and typically won’t feel like going out of my way to be nice and friendly back. Of course, it depends on the circumstances, as I try to lift others’ spirits sometimes and return good for evil, but it makes it harder to be nice when I’m not treated well. It’s specifically frustrating when one isn’t treated right at customer service, like in a drive-thru or checkout. We all have bad days, but we shouldn’t treat others poorly because of something that has nothing to do with them. Sometimes I feel I shouldn’t have to deal with someone being short with me when I have been nothing but polite, but then I think, I suppose I can’t expect much from people who haven’t been taught what’s right and don’t know right from wrong. This is where patience and grace can come in and save the day. (Ok, maybe not save the day, but who knows?) If I treat someone better than they treated me, maybe they’ll feel better and treat others better the rest of the day. I probably won’t know if I impacted them in a positive way or not, but I will at least know I tried and did what was right.

So before you write a negative comment on social media, or tell someone how you think they should be doing something, or complain about the weather, think about how you could handle the situation differently- better. How you could be encouraging and lift someone up instead. This is how you can change things. You may not see instant results, or know how much you made someone’s day better, but if you continue to choose positivity, you will be making a difference in the world. In your own home. In how you feel.

Thank you for taking time to read this, everyone, and I hope you have a blessed rest of your day! Remember to SMILE!!

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”

Matthew 5:14-16