Don't be a Debbie

Things turn out best for the people who make the best of the way things turn
out.
-Art Linkletter

True dat, Mr. Linkletter. We know that attitude is everything. Mind over matter. The power of positive thinking. Blah blah blah. We've heard these things a countless number of times and a lot of us even buy into it. I know I do. So why is it that we continue to sabotage ourselves? It has puzzled me for years and I've struggled with how to "just say no" to negative thinking! I don't wanna be a Debbie. When life doesn't turn out exactly how we planned it, immediately the thought is, "I'm a failure and nothing ever goes right for me." Wahhhhhhh, wahhhhhh, waaaaahhhhh.

But what if we took pause and looked at the situation from a different point of view? Sometimes what we initially saw as a failure turns out to be a beautiful mistake. But we're so sure we don't like Green Eggs and Ham that we miss it entirely. Yet I've known people who have this innate ability to roll with the punches. And quite honestly, there was a time I wanted to punch those people. (Sorry, but we keep it real here at MCS!) No matter what's thrown at them, they approach it with an inexplicable grace. It's almost like they welcome whatever life has in store.

I want what they have. I no longer feel like decking them. In fact, I admire them. So I started asking questions. Lots of them. And what I found was that there's no real secret involved. Faith most certainly plays a role. These positive people are making a choice, by faith, to make the best of the way things turn out. A CHOICE - novel concept, right? Yet it doesn't come naturally to most of us. We have to work at it and be deliberate in our decision to resist the familiar "See, I really can't do anything right" reaction. I'm here to tell you that attitude IS everything. Taking charge and choosing positivity has changed me - and it can change you too! It's empowering and it's contagious. I want to inspire others. I want someone to look at me and think, "I want what she has." Make a bold move and give it a try. Tell those negative, self-defeating thoughts to take a hike. CHOOSE TO MAKE THE BEST OF THINGS. Start now by fighting the urge to roll your eyes and chalk this up to another corny "being positive rules" post. Besides, you've already read this far so why not decide to just say no to negativity? Plus, nobody likes a Debbie Downer.