Tag: positive

Posted in optimism

It’s going to be a good day

Posted on by William Douthwaite

“I’ve decided it’s going to be a good day.”

I jotted those words my journal, a quote from Loewhaley I can’t find that post, but those words got me thinking.

Can I decide what kind of day it’s going to be? Can I decide in advance that I am going to be grateful? Is contentment an attitude I can choose? Can I deliberately frame my day with joy? Do I have any control over the kind of day I am going to have? Can I declare that I am blessed, and that today is going to be a good day?

My answer to all of the above is, “Yes!”

I can easily list out ten things for which I’m grateful. Gratitude feeds contentment. In any situation I can discover joy. If I decide it’s going to be a good day, no one can take that from me. I can determine how I will respond to the people, situations, and events going on around me. I define how I will react to the news, surprises, disappointments, success, insults, and compliments.

I believe we forget how much control we have over our reactions, emotions, and attitude. If you blame others for your feelings, you’ve allowed them to influence you. You’ve surrendered something to them.

How many people have forgotten that they have control over their feelings and attitude? Plenty.

If I set out on my morning walk intent on noticing the colors of the dawn, I will see a beautiful pallet of hues that leave me breathless. When I set out to make a list of things I am thankful for, I soon need an extra page. And if I determine that I am going to have a good day, no disappointment can steal that from me.

So shy not start with that assumption? Why not be an optimist, looking forward to the great experiences, interesting people, and fascinating stories to come?

Posted in Life, Moments of grace

Focus on the good stuff

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash

Why is it so easy to see the negative?

I just sanded, stained, and sealed a butcher block counter top for an island in our kitchen. Rather than enjoying the finished project, I spent way too much time noticing the little imperfections. Every time I looked at it, I could see spots where the stain was too light. Or a rough spot wasn’t sanded smooth. Or the sealer didn’t quite cover an edge.

I know. Perfection is always just out of reach.

  • When you listen to live music, you hear the mistake rather than the thousands of correct notes.
  • The lawn looks so good, except for that one weed.
  • The stylist has done a wonderful job, except for that one hair you have to trim at home.
  • When you look in the mirror, the only thing you see is that pimple.
  • One misspelled word ruins a wonderfully written essay.
  • Rather than enjoying your detailed car, you only notice the ding in the door.

I always notice the imperfections in the things that I write. Others don’t see it. But I always do. Every time. Why is that?

In a similar vein, it is all too easy to see and point out the goofs in the work of others.

  • A speaker who keeps saying, “Um” or “Uh.’
  • A painter who missed a spot.
  • “That was stupid.”

We live in a world of perfection. Every photo is retouched. Colors are enhanced. Videos are edited. Grammarly scans our paragraphs. Actors repeat scenes 10, 20, or 30 times to get it right. Auto-tune makes vocals sound amazing.

When Covid hit and the church closed its doors, it was so hard to livestream my sermons. Even though I was used to live preaching, the camera in front of me made me aware of every flaw, miscue, and mistake. In those moments there’s not editing, do-overs, or mulligans. You just put it out there. Never perfect. Deeply flawed.

Think about it. A tiny flaw can make a coin or postage stamp valuable. Imperfection is coveted. Why doesn’t every one value our errors?

I had some friends who loved to show off their car. It was a beauty for sure. One day, they came and told me that they had won a car show. But they had only gotten 99 out of 100, because of a speck of dust beneath a speaker cover. Wow. My car has never been half that clean!

I took my car to a car wash place to have it detailed before I went to trade it in for a new car. The detailers did an amazing job. The dealer hardly looked at it at all. Does it run? Does the AC blow cold? Let’s make a deal.

I remember talking to someone whose dementia was robbing them of their memories. The things they remembered included regrets and failures instead of amazing stories about adventure, friendships, and experiences.

I’m glad God reminds us to focus on those things that are pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8). Otherwise, we’d spend way too much time focusing on the negative and forget all the good stuff God has given us!

So today, take a few moments and ask yourself, “What made me smile today? What brought me joy? What blessings did I receive?” Focus on the good stuff.