Try to say only positive things about people

What if your best friend is going to get involved with someone (business, friendship, love, whatever) that you know is a nasty sort. Would you keep quiet and let them get on with it just because you can’t say anything positive?

I wouldn’t. Not sure how to get around this (admittedly hypothetical) situation.

I understand the concept of “If you can’t say anything nice, then don’t say anything at all”, but sometimes it genuinely is difficult.

Anyway, this is something to aim for, that’s for sure.

but it is worth it. It causes you to focus on the positive. You learn to think before you speak. You are no longer a ‘slave’ (so to speak) to the impulses of your mind. You’re not busy hurting others for no good reason. You feel better about yourself because of it; not out of pride or the arrogance that you are better than another person (because you are not) but rather out of the simplicity of contributing to the meaning of ‘nice’. You don’t sound like a baffoon. Your words don’t come back to haunt you when it turns out that you were wrong about someone. You are more trustworthy, because no one will have to worry about you breaking a confidence. You are a better friend. You are a better human being. You feel happier. You are happier.

These are just a few of the reasons why I think that completing this goal is worth doing. I’m not perfect. Sometimes, things still slip. Not often, though. I thank God that He brought this to my attention, and that He has helped me to accomplish this goal!

I am accomplishing this goal. I find myself thinking before I speak. For the most part, I am only saying positive things.

But, I’m still failing when it comes to certain things. I’m not happy to say it, but perhaps if I do it will help me overcome it. There are a few people, and one person in particular, who I feel have wronged me in the past. When it comes to speaking about this person, I am constantly making remarks that I shouldn’t. (This person has been calling much too often lately in my opinion…I only make the remarks to my husband and occasionally my brother, and they know why I feel the way I feel…) But I still should not be saying these things.

What this comes down to is forgiveness. Forgive is what I have to do. I need to forgive in order to overcome, in order to not be bound by feelings of anger and annoyance. I have to forgive in order to be forgiven.

Forgiveness is what this stage is all about.

Things are getting better in this area…I’m learning to hold my tongue and not say so many negative things throughout the day. Even when I really want to! It’s strange, I’ve been able to keep things to myself and not feel totally frustrated about it. Still have a ways to go…cause things still slip out every so often…but I’m seeing progress!

”...For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.

But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”
—Matt. 12:34-37

This has been difficult the last few days. I can’t believe that in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, people there are stealing (not just food and water which would be understandable given the situation). They’re stealing jewelry, tvs, shoes…where are they planning on hiding what they steal? Do they really have a home to take it back to? Even worse, they’re shooting at those who are trying to help make the situation better. They’re keeping people who need medical attention from getting it. Men are raping women. This is inexcusable.

How sad, in a nation that is supposed to be civilized, that the citizens (not all, but too many of them) are acting like wild criminals. They’re making the situation worse than it is, and it is already worse than bad enough. How sad that the few are further victimizing the many. How sad that this is what people in other countries will see, furthering their negative ideas about the United States. This is not how we all are.

Ugh, sometimes it’s so easy to concentrate on the bad, irresponsible, or just plain stupid things that people do. I’d like to be more positive and uplifting. I’d like to build people up instead of dragging them down and through the dirt. This may prove to be a difficult task, but I’m willing to give it a try!