Stop Being Negative and Positively Improve Your Life
This is important!
Nothing . . . absolutely nothing is ever accomplished by being negative!
And yes, I said that negatively.
You may be thinking, “amen sister!”
You’re tired of the whining, complaining, arguing, disapproving, finger-pointing I’m right and you’re wrong attitude you’re hearing on the news, reading on social media, and seeing around well . . . everywhere.
Because let’s be honest for a minute, we’re all guilty to a point…
I started thinking about this because of the backlash Tim Tebow received for saying he liked the movie, The Shack.
I haven’t seen the movie and I don’t know if I will or not. I read the book and yes, it’s not Biblically accurate . . . it doesn’t claim to be. It’s fiction, written to tell a story of love and forgiveness. If it blesses someone, what do you or I accomplish by attacking the person or their character? Don’t like the movie, that’s fine, but why attack the person who says they like it?
It’s just so easy to be negative.
But stop for a minute and imagine what could happen if we chose to make sure at 99.5% of our expressed comments were positive.
If we stopped shutting each other down with “drop the mic” 140 character discussion enders and started having more respectful exchanges of ideas looking for solutions and compromise?
And… since I brought up the movie, The Shack, you may think I’m just talking to Christians or extreme conservatives, but you’d be wrong.
I’m also talking to those who are standing in the streets shouting “not my president.”
Much has been accomplished throughout history by the peaceful gathering of citizens wanting to make their voices heard, but and this is huge . . . they were gathering for something not against it. Women marched for the right to vote, pro-life advocates march for the rights of the unborn, and those who marched with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. marched for racial equality.
They were standing up for something not just shouting against it!
So, in keeping with my argument here . . . I’m done being negative and pointing out what people should stop doing.
The rest of this post will be positive and encouraging.
Because if you and I want to accomplish something good we need to know the positive outcome we’re hoping to achieve. Sure it takes a little more effort. It’s easy to jump on the negativity bandwagon. But if we really want to make a difference and do something good we need a positive plan.
10 Ways to Positively Improve Your Life Today
1. Walk away from all online or in person “ain’t it awful” groupthink.
Online – Take a break from social media or block the commenters who are always negative and confrontational. In person – Invite a complainer to tell you what they would do to make the situation better. If that doesn’t work change the subject or walk away.
2. Know what you’re for and what’s important to you.
Channel your energy towards the good you can do. Life is simply too short to waste time whining and moaning when there are so many ways to make a difference.
“Everyone has inside them a piece of good news. The good news is you don’t know how great you can be! How much you can love! What you can accomplish! And what your potential is.” ~Anne Frank
3. Set positive goals and work toward accomplishing them.
What are you passionate about? What makes your heart beat faster? Invest your time in finding ways to pursue your passion and set achievable goals. I promise the fastest way to stop being negative is to pursue what you love.
4. Talk about your hopes and dreams for the future.
Are you crazy about your family? Do you love music, art, gardening, decorating, cooking, or all the above? Talk about what you love. Do you love Jesus? Tell someone. Share your enthusiasm and let the people in your life join in the fun.
5. Praise and encourage the positive actions of others.
Ask your friends about their hopes and dreams. Lift them up. Get excited about the possibilities with them and cheer on their efforts.
When you talk, do not say harmful things, but say what people need—words that will help others become stronger. Then what you say will do good to those who listen to you. Ephesians 4:29
6. Do something good for someone.
Busy people don’t have time to complain and they say doing good for others makes you happy, too. Sounds like a bonus to me!
“Do all the good you can. By all the means you can. In all the ways you can. In all the places you can. At all the times you can. To all the people you can. As long as ever you can.” ~John Wesley
7. Talk online and in person about the good things you see people doing.
It’s just so easy to click on the like and share buttons. What if we just stopped passing along all the negative stuff? If you’re looking for something to post online . . . find a good news story or a funny picture or video. And this is important, only support encouraging things you see your friends and family posting.
8. Pray about the good, bad, and ugly! Ask God to show Himself strong in life’s messiness.
God is on His throne and hears every prayer. When we complain it sounds like we don’t believe He is able to do anything about it. Get on your knees and talk to God . . . every fear and frustration, each concern and care. He is sovereign and more than able to accomplish His will.
As for me, I will call on God and the Lord will save me. I will cry out and complain in the evening and morning and noon, and He will hear my voice. Psalm 55:16–17
9. Listen to different points of view, you might learn something.
If someone is respectfully sharing their opinion, even if you don’t agree, be kind and listen. Shutting down ideas with which we disagree doesn’t help anyone. Who knows . . . they might return the favor and listen to you.
“Speak in such a way that others love to listen to you. Listen in such a way that others love to speak to you.” ~Anonymous
10. Before you complain about something you can’t change, do something to change what you can.
There are ministries that need our help. Groups that need your specific gifts and abilities. People who need your prayers. There is so much to do . . . why would we waste our time and energy complaining about something we can’t.
That’s my list.
Maybe you have something to add . . . please share it in the comments.
And remember…
“Attitude is a choice. Happiness is a choice. Optimism is a choice. Kindness is a choice. Giving is a choice. Respect is a choice. Whatever choice you make makes you. Choose wisely.” ~Roy T. Bennett
That choice will make a huge difference in your life.
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Oh how I love your list friend! This is an excellent post with some power packed truths!!!
Thank you, Shannon! Definitely a list I need to remember myself.
Thank you for this! Such a great article, especially for the time we are living in currently. It is SO easy to jump on the complain bandwagon and I am guilty of doing so at times with my friends. My goal is to discuss and spread joy! I hope that I can add this as a daily reminder to myself. Thank you
I agree, Shari! Just ask Rev. I can do my share of complaining around here. But I’m reminding myself that it’s fruitless. I so want to do better. Thanks so much!
Being, thinking and acting positively is the only way to go, Deb! I’ve decided to temporarily shut down my Facebook feed during Lent as I’m so tired of all the negativity I read there. I need to recharge my positive batteries with a heaping helping of God’s love and presence. That will be my Lenten focus.
Blessings!
I love the way you say that, Martha! “to recharge my positive batteries with a heaping helping of God’s love and presence.” What a beautiful way to put it! My Lenten focus as well!
Your list is spot on. I’ve had to do number 1 and 2 more often recently due to our political climate – but I’m really not interested in things that bring more division.
I’m counting my blessings and they are many!
Yes, walking away from the negativity as much as possible. It is good for my mental health! Blessings!
Great ways to be positive. Amen! I pray that I would have a guard over my mouth and be busy about doing good.
Thanks, Valerie! My prayer as well, my friend!!
Perfect message for Lent..give up negativity!! I love this Deb, any worries I will lift up to the Lord in prayer and He can handle it. Thanks for this boost of positive thinking and speaking. I will definitely work on it. Blessings my friend, Lynn
Wouldn’t that be awesome…
If everyone gave up negativity for Lent. Oh, what the Lord could accomplish through His people in 40 days of positive living. Thanks and blessings!
Thank you, Deb, for providing these ten, straightforward steps to reducing negativity. Despite all the blessings in my life, I still have a habit of focusing on the 1 or 2 imperfect parts of my life. I hope to make wiser choices, especially during this Lenten season. #SittingAmongFriends
This list is so full of wisdom. I’m carefully reconsidering my tone and will be asking myself if if what I’m saying is edifying or destructive. I hope to make the better choice. With the Lord’s help I can be intentional about this.
Me too, Natalie! Negativity prevents me from positively representing Jesus. If I can remember that one thing, it would help me so much! Blessings!!
Deb,
Such wise words! I”m stopping by via Susan B Mead’s linkup today. You were right beside me 🙂 I can’t agree with your post more. I loved the book the Shack. God used it profoundly in my life to help me understand the trinity and His love on a deeper level. As someone who has gone through a great wounding like the main character I get the healing process and felt an affinity to His process. I posted something about the movie on my Facebook page and saw a HUGELY negative comment. I responded in love but took down an image the person shared. I made sure she knew I loved her and we were able to stay friends yet disagree. I believe she realized how harsh she was at first. I think you said it right. It is fiction much like the end times movies that are not all Biblically correct, but still used by God.
We need to lighten up as Christians! 🙂
Have a blessed day! Praying for you.
~Sherry Stahl
xoxo
Deb, Amen! Great post!
For the reasons you stated above, I have stopped being active on my personal Facebook page and have instead created a Facebook page for my blog free whose purpose is to bring Glory to God.
I never thought about that before that all peaceful gatherings were “for” something not against. Great insight!
Thanks for your list of ways to be positive and for sharing this edifying post.
I am so grateful for this post, for your willingness to address things that we need to spill out but can be so hard to do. It takes courage NOT to be negative in our world, sometimes. It takes courage not to be pulled into the fray of everyone’s excitement.
I have not read the book the shack either. I have not decided if I will watch the movie, either. I have friends who have loved the book and many who have hated it.
But ultimately, what I want to be able to do is to converse with both and to have real conversations with grace and no more shaming name-calling unkindness. It would be so nice to have that option. Your words here are a gentle introduction into one of those conversations… thank you!
Blessings,
Dawn
Years ago we had a boss that told us — don’t bring me problems, bring me solutions. Yes, there are problems but if we would take the time to think them through, solutions would rise to the surface. What a better way to focus. Thanks for this posting, Deb.
Deb, Sorry about my long absence…getting behind is not a good thing! Thank you for this post. The negativity of others and of myself really does drag me down. Being negative does far more harm than good. Being positive in a sea of negativity is worth the effort!
Blessings!
Deb – You are so right – it is so easy to be negative..Why is that? It should be easier to be positive right ?!? I especially love #4 & #5 – dreaming about the future and speaking positive and encouraging things over others – so good. Also, thank so much for linking up to #TuneInThursday this week. I look forward to seeing you this next week too.
This is such a great post. The negatives in life seem much louder in our minds than the positives. I remember years ago when I worked for a dance studio. The owner was so upset during a number at our year end recital as she noticed two parents looking annoyed and later heard negative comments. I hugged her and said you are allowing two “boos” to spoil your day. Would it be so much better to open your eyes to the hundreds giving the piece a standing ovation? Life gets hard and sadly there are negative situations. This is a wonderful reminder to focus on the applause.
Donna, what great advice to your friend! You’re right. It’s just too easy to focus the negative. But with God’s help I believe it is possible to stay focused on what is good and lay the bad at the Lord’s feet in prayer. Thanks and many blessings!