First, choose to be grateful. Even during tough times, we should remember to be thankful. We have all experienced tough times, events, people, or situations. Do you still dwell on those times? Or have you CHOSEN to forget? We can choose to have selective memory and choose NOT to dwell on painful memories, and instead be grateful for the good things that have come out of these situations or are currently happening. As most of you know, our Sanibel home burned to the ground in 2012. We went through a many-year fire investigation and eventual lawsuit. It was terrible all the way around. Yet so many wonderful things subsequently happened, one of which is the fact that we now live and work in SW Florida full time. THAT is a tremendous blessing!
Focus on what is right, not what is wrong. How many times do we find ourselves complaining about things? Gas prices. War. Supply chain issues. A slow driver. An irritating coworker. A grocery store line moving slowly. It could be anything. Instead, focus on what is right, what is going well, what is good. It is amazing what happens when you change your focus from positive to negative. Give a smile to the person standing next to you. Share a positive word or compliment vs a scowl and an eyeroll!
Be patient. In the age of the fast paced, get-it-done, scrolling lifestyle, we could all stand to take a chill pill, right? We expect instant everything. Instant shopping. Instant movies. Instant communication. Why? It is going to be okay if we do not have something instantly. Does it really matter if we must wait 1 minute for something? No. And speaking of patience, what about those younger or less experienced than us? Did we mature in a day? No. We had to experience life and learn and grow. So let’s have some patience for those up-and-coming people in our lives. Instead of being irritated by them, let’s encourage them and congratulate them on how far they have come.
Listen. Ooh, this is a big one. Have you ever asked your spouse, significant other, or child, “Who else would I be speaking to? There is nobody else in the house!?” This has definitely been spoken in our house! When someone speaks to you, intently listen. Focus on the other person and what he/she is saying. Do not think about what you want to say next or what story you want to share. Do not steal the conversation. Ask follow-up questions. We all know what it feels like when someone steals the conversation and you are left hanging, feeling disrespected. Be intentional.
And finally, show love. Show kindness. It is what we all need – especially these days.
And finally, what is one of the quickest ways to change a bad relationship into a good one? Start praying for the person! It changes YOU and the person! Pray that they will grow in love, make wise choices, live with integrity, and become more like the person God wants them to be. Who would not want these things, right?
If you need an encouraging daily word, we recommend Rick Warren’s Daily Hope. He provides an e-newsletter along with an audio message every day that inspires and motivates us each day. Rick is currently doing a series on Happiness and How to Grow Healthy Relationships. Check it out.