Good Finder
The great historian and philosopher, Thomas Carlyle, dressed to speak before a large audience, was walking out the door when his mother spoke to him.
"And where might you be going, Thomas?" she asked.
"I'm going to tell the people what's wrong with the world."
"Aye, Thomas," his mother responded, "But are you going to tell them what to do about it?"
It doesn't take a genius to realize that there are a lot of problems in this world. Any simpleton can point out what's wrong. There are flaws and shortcomings in every organization, family, and individual.
If you're looking for faults - you'll find them. They're everywhere! In fact, you have a quite a few of them yourself! (If you're not sure about that, ask you family members.)
It is no great badge of honor to be a fault -finder. It takes a great person, however, to be a "good-finder".
I believe there is a direct link between attitude and emotional health. Negativity drains the joy right out of us. God created us to rise above our circumstances, rather than to sink in self pity.
Instead of despairing over a difficult situation, why not do something about it?
Instead of cursing the darkness, why not light a candle?
Instead of dealing in troubles, why not deal in hope?
Instead of focusing on what you've lost, why not focus on what you have left?
Instead of thinking about the problem, why not consider the solution?
Ever wonder why somebody doesn't do something about a certain situation? Guess what - you are a somebody!You can do something about it!
"And where might you be going, Thomas?" she asked.
"I'm going to tell the people what's wrong with the world."
"Aye, Thomas," his mother responded, "But are you going to tell them what to do about it?"
It doesn't take a genius to realize that there are a lot of problems in this world. Any simpleton can point out what's wrong. There are flaws and shortcomings in every organization, family, and individual.
If you're looking for faults - you'll find them. They're everywhere! In fact, you have a quite a few of them yourself! (If you're not sure about that, ask you family members.)
It is no great badge of honor to be a fault -finder. It takes a great person, however, to be a "good-finder".
I believe there is a direct link between attitude and emotional health. Negativity drains the joy right out of us. God created us to rise above our circumstances, rather than to sink in self pity.
Instead of despairing over a difficult situation, why not do something about it?
Instead of cursing the darkness, why not light a candle?
Instead of dealing in troubles, why not deal in hope?
Instead of focusing on what you've lost, why not focus on what you have left?
Instead of thinking about the problem, why not consider the solution?
Ever wonder why somebody doesn't do something about a certain situation? Guess what - you are a somebody!You can do something about it!
The reason why the early Methodists got on so was, that while other Christians were waiting for something to turn up, they turned it up themselves.
ReplyDeleteJust make sure it is not your nose you turn up when someone else lights a candle.
AMEN! Today's dying churches are run by leaders who not only refuse to do anything themselves, but have perfected blowing out others' candles.
ReplyDeleteHey, Mark!
ReplyDeleteOff-topic: I left a comment on Hannah's blog. Hve you thought about adding a SiteMeter to her blog? It will track visits for her, even if they don't post. Good geography lesson, too, since they map where your visitors are coming from! They report to the email address you give them, once a week. Good stuff!
http://sitemeter.com/
I think the most valuable advice I was ever given (and, thankfully, when I was young!) was, simply, "look for the good in everything."
ReplyDelete