So, I have noticed how easy it is to be negative...Why is that? Not only would I say that it is easy to get into a negative attitude, but I would go further and say that for most people getting into a negative state of mind is much easier than having a positive one. In my personal view, I believe that at the root of negativity lies ignorance. Here's a quick an easy example...I'm so busy and my life is so stressful, I barely have time for my family. I would say that there is a large portion of men and women who have said this numerous times in their lives, many of whom are still saying it. Here's where crossing the bridge into true thankfulness and positive thoughts has been working for me. I'm sue that you are thinking well it could be worse. The guy could be blind or deaf of in a third world country starving or homeless or have a sexual deficiency that inhibits him from ever having children or could be missing legs or arms or...you catch the drift. No matter what circumstance we face, we can always compare our situation with that of someone else's and see clearly that we have a lot of blessings in our lives. Here's my theory, throw away that way of thinking...pull it out of the trash and burn it. Sure that form of empathy does find ourselves thinking positively, but I can guarantee that we have all tried this route and it fails, often way too quickly. I can also guarantee that in the last week you have had a negative attitude about something that has happened or that you have observed. There is no permanent fix to get rid of negative attitudes. But here's how I've been working on it. Instead of comparing my situation with that of someone else's, I just worry about myself. Right now I am alive, I am typing on a computer, I have eyes that see what I am typing, I can smell microwaved lasagna down the hall of the office. I can breathe with ease. Now you may think, that's great for you but what about people you don't have all those same things. The point is being thankful for what you have, in troubling times and in times of great joy. This life is a gift from God...a gift, you know those things that you have opened your entire life. Have you ever opened a gift and thought, "Man, this is tough, I wish it were easier."? Not only is this life a gift from God, but eternal life is also the free gift of God if we proclaim Christ as our savior. The Bible also says that in times of great struggle, great hope will be produced. It also says that we should rejoice in these times of struggle. I guess I could have saved you reading this whole blog by just saying, Love your life, God has a purpose for you in all things. Smile and enjoy the ride of life even when things get tough. God has, does, and will always love YOU!