MMM - 6.8.15 - A Positive Attitude Part 2

In last week’s MMM (Monday Morning Memo), I shared that to begin to have a more positive attitude, we need to start by looking inward.  We need to begin to see ourselves through God’s eyes because we are precious and honored in His sight.

Secondly, if we are going to see our cup as being at least half full, I think we need to look upward.  By that I mean we need to do something every day to lift someone else up.  We can become too focused on us and forget that there are people all around us that need a lift too.  I think our attitudes can begin to change when our focus begins to change.  When we begin to see those individuals who come across our path as creations of God instead of interruptions, we can do what is necessary to lift them up which in turn will improve our attitudes.

John 15:12 tells us, “This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you.”  Wow, if we fully understand how much Christ loves us…then that should surely show us how much we are supposed to love and care for others!

And it doesn’t have to always be a big, major act that we do for someone.  Sometimes just a warm smile to someone who you see in passing is what that person needs to get through their day.  Oftentimes, just taking the time to notice something about a person and complementing them on it will lift their steps for a week.

John Holmes said, “There is no exercise better for the heart than reaching down and lifting people up.” That takes time though, and unfortunately, we often don’t want to take the time to develop a relationship with anyone.  We are so wrapped up in our own lives, that getting to know someone else is just too much of a hassle.  I think it is sad that in many cases we have replaced healthy relationships with friends…with technology.  We don’t talk anymore…we text.  We don’t verbally tell each other what is going on in our life…we read it on Facebook or Twitter.

My mother-in-law had many old VHS tapes and our son offered to convert them into DVD’s for her.  As he was transferring them, he noticed how different family gatherings were back in those days.  Everyone was sitting around laughing and talking with each other, instead of family gatherings now where many are sitting looking down at their phones instead of conversing with others.  What a tragedy. 

What a shame that we have lost many of those close relationships where we can be a support to each other and have those friendships be a part in filling our cup with blessings. Gordon B. Hinckley shared that  “The best antidote I know for worry is work. The best cure for weariness is the challenge of helping someone who is even more tired. One of the great ironies of life is this: He or she who serves almost always benefits more than he or she who is served.”   In other words, we can’t out-give God.  When we do things to lift someone else up, we are sure to be lifted up ourselves.

We also need to remember that God is calling us to reach others for Him and if we aren’t willing to even strike up a conversation with others…how are we going to tell them about our Jesus?  I was listening to the Gaither Vocal Band yesterday and the song that came on made me smile.  Some of the words to “I Catch ‘em, God Cleans ‘em” are:

"I catch 'em, God cleans 'em

I bait the hook with the love of the Kingdom

I've been called to be a fisher of men"

"I catch 'em, God cleans 'em

Heaven knows He saves every soul that believes Him

I reel 'em in and He washes away their sin"

I catch 'em, God cleans 'em

I bait the hook with the love of the Kingdom

I've been called to be a fisher of men"

Each of us has been called to be fishers of men but unfortunately many of us are unwilling to bait the hook or throw out a line!  Remember, others won’t care how much we know until they know how much we care.

Do you want to have a more positive attitude today?  Be watching for ways to lift someone else up.  There are so many people that are just waiting for someone to reach out to them and show them God’s love.  I think you will be amazed at how full your cup will become when you make an effort to fill the cup of others!