I read once that you're personality is pretty much set by the age of thirty. So if you are a cynical, mean thirty year old that no one likes, you'll be a cynical, mean, old person that no one likes. I read that in my twenties and decided that I wanted to be a happy, friendly, helpful thirty year old and a happy, friendly, old person. I worked really hard to start seeing things a little softer. Giving people the benefit of the doubt. Not always assuming that the person was out to get me! It worked and now I feel like I see things in a mostly positive light!
It does always amaze me when I am around someone who always sees the negative side of life. I guess I'm just basically a positive person and I really do not think everyone on the face of the earth is out to get me. I don't think that highly of myself to think that everyone else is always coming up with things to do to make me mad. I think most of us go about our day to day lives thinking mostly of ourselves and those around us. I would hope to think that most of us are pretty happy with our lives but as I've gotten older it saddens me to know people who can't be happy no matter what their circumstances. I've met people who really do have legitimate reasons to be unhappy with their circumstances but they, for the most part, are happier than those who think themselves into being unhappy. I had a dear older friend who used to say, "If you don't like your circumstances, change them!" She lived through the depression and didn't understand the general whining of people. If you had a place to live, something to eat and loved ones around you, what reason on earth did you have to complain about?
Being a forty-something person now, I think I can say that most days, I'm an optimist. Some might even call me a PollyAnna who sees the good in most situations and people. Maybe I'm a little too trusting that everything will work out all right. Maybe I give away love a little too easy. Maybe I forgive a little too quick. If those are faults, I'm happy to have them!
A journal of recipes and ideas to help readers laugh a little at everyday things and realize just how blessed they are!
A merry heart is good medicine. :)
ReplyDeleteNothing is sadder than seeing an old person frowning in public. I wonder if they know how sour they look, and how they might be scaring people. Then I remember the soldier I saw on the news who came home from the war with no legs, and he was beaming from ear to ear and saying if he had to do it all over again, he would!
That's the kind of attitude I want to carry with me always! I don't want to scare little kids.