Chosen Generation
 
A month into the new year and old habits still die hard. Every year we come up with new resolutions to reach toward goals that were not attained in the old one. But, typically our resolutions tend to be more toward the side of vanity or personal success i.e. losing weight, getting a new job, trying more adventurous things. Yet, we forget about character changes. What if our resolution list went something like this:

Have a more positive attitude
Treat others with more kindness
Deal with emotional wounds

There is a strong possibility that all of the other resolutions lead right back to dealing with those things on the inside of us that go unnoticed year after year. Could it be that we fail to achieve certain goals because of our attitude toward life. This has been my struggle for some years now. Having a positive outlook on life is a hard thing, especially when there are negative things going on in your life. But, a positive attitude is a must.  It can transform your whole outlook on life. I received an e-mail with a story about two men who were sharing a hospital room together. One of the men had to lie down all day every day. The other patient was able to sit up and look out of the window for an hour each day. The man by the window would tell his roommate about all the beautiful things he saw outside the window each day, the beautiful flowers, marching bands, and couples walking hand in hand. The man confined to laying on his back loved to hear about all these things. One day the man by the window died. The roommate eagerly asked to move by the window so that he could view all the beautiful things his old friend once talked about. However, he looked out the window to find a cement wall. He later found out that his friend had been blind.  His positive outlook on life changed the way he responded to his life predicament and thus he was able to spread positivity to others.  My new year’s revolution this year is to have a more positive outlook on life, it makes a world of difference. 

"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." Philippians 4: 7-9