When quoted in the Bible, Jesus is talking about seeking and finding God, but I've found that it's true in other areas. What we seek, we find.A friend of mine works in the hosptiality industry and recently ran into one of his most difficult customers. She was literally looking for reasons to be upset. The driver didn't know she was waiting for a ride, so it wasn't a mistake, it was his attempt to "try to make her late." When she didn't get her food fast enough, the wait staff had something against her. And so it went, on and on.
She was looking for problems and she found them at every turn. If she ran into a case where she didn't find a problem, I'd venture to guess that she'd make one up.
Seeking the good means that you will more than likely find the good but it doesn't make you immune to the bad. It does, however, change the way you handle the bad when it occurs.
I spent two years in Los Angeles. I worked as a temp for the majority of the time I was there, but I was always looking for full-time work. At one point, I thought I'd found it. I'd submitted several samples of my writing and had 3 successful phone interviews. In fact, towards the end of the process, phrases like "when you start," and "you're first assignment will be," were used. I just had to have a face-to-face meeting.
Well, it was clear that my potential boss was not expecting an African-American. She saw me in the waiting room (the only one there) and left for several minutes and came back. I think she'd thought that the white Karyn Beach might be in the bathroom! LOL! Well, our interview lasted ten minutes and she never once made eye contact. Of course, I didn't get the job.
So what did I do? I stopped by the Coffee Bean and got my favorite drink (a white chocolate mocha), went back home, wrote a short thank you letter and started looking for jobs again. It was her loss, not mine. She had seen my work and knew what I was capable of and she let something as silly as race keep her from hiring an awesome employee!
Her actions weren't going to keep me from gainful employment. She wasn't a paralyzing defeat or justification for every negative mantra I'd thought to myself over the years. Because I try to focus on the good, I knew that something positive was just around the corner. I just had to find it. She was a small pothole on my road to success.
People who make a habit of seeking the good usually find happiness, friendship, love, success, peace of mind. People who make a habit of seeking the negative usually find drama, hardship, setbacks and sorrow.
Which will you choose?
3 comments:
Lose the Excuses -
Awesome title and the post I read reflects its meaning
Choose happiness, it's good but is it that easy as you have said. Please explain
Thanks
No it's not easy but it is a choice and that's the part we have to remember. Our emotions are so close to us that our responses are fast, instinctual.
When you feel yourself going down the wrong path, you actually have to stop yourself and CHOOSE to move in the other direction.
It starts with awareness. Once you are aware of your feelings you can actively choose another path. Listen to music that makes you feel good, think of something more pleasant, call a friend, focus your attention on what is going right.
It isn't easy but it can be done.
I love the way you think!! I live this way and life is so wonderful!! I didn't always live this way, it took losing a brother, less than a year later, losing my mother, 3 months after that my husband and I were both laid off from our jobs and a month after that separating from my husband. Oh and I was 7 1/2 months pregnant. Alot of heartbreak, and I think I finally hit rock bottom. I broke down and just bawled. Out loud I asked when will the hurt stop?? And God answered. Not literally, but a few days later I got what I considered a sign. That's all it took. A feeling of peace and happiness washed over me. I started reading the Bible and anything I could about God and religion. My mother in law and I would have conversations about God and it would lift us both up. I've come to realize that people are the way they are for a reason, I don't know everyone's story, so therefore I try my best not to judge anyone. Sorry for rambling. But what you say is so true!!! A positive attitude goes a very long way. Thank you for your words. I love happy people!!!
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