Don't Depend On Circumstances

"The greatest part of our happiness depends on our dispositions, not our circumstances."

 Martha Washington

Many people allow circumstances to determine their attitudes.  We must develop a positive outlook on life, no matter what happens.  We need to be stable and consistent in our upbeat approach toward every situation.  To develop the stability we need, we have to eliminate the mindset that says, "I will enjoy life when I don't have this problem anymore. I will enjoy myself when this situation is resolved."

The fact is, "when" rarely comes.   When the issue you see as a hindrance to your enjoyment of life finally goes away, something else will arise.  We never know what we will have to face or when unexpected situations will demand our attention.  Whatever unexpected events and surprises come our way, we need to meet them with a predetermined, positive mind-set.  Having a mind-set doesn't mean our disappointments don't hurt.  We can feel hurt and still decide not to let our feelings rule us.

Being able to decide how we will behave apart from how we feel is one of the greatest privileges we have as human beings.  The ability to choose is a gift from God and we should use it to our benefit.  When all is said and done life is short and we should not waste even one day being negative and downcast. 

(Joyce Meyer-Happiness)

I really don't like surprises.  I like to know what is coming up and how things are going to end; so I end up doing a lot of what I call "self-talk."  It sounds like this:

I've asked my son to clean the kitchen (which I've left a mess) before he goes to work that day.  As I'm driving home from work I'll prep myself.

"You know the kitchen might not be cleaned, so expect it when you go in.  You will not go crazy."

Now, in defense of my son, he will complete my "list" 98% of the time.  He is very good, but you know there was that one time several years that he didn't, so that is what I focus on. Oh--wait a minute, maybe it should sound like this:

"You know he always completes my little list of chores.  He is very responsible and if by chance it's not done, then something came up in his day.  It's really not a big deal--we are talking about a kitchen not a life-changing event."

Needless to say, I still have some work to do with looking at things positively; but at least I'm trying!