Mr. Complaint or Mr. Positive - Which will I be known for?

Which outlook do you have? 

There are twin boys of five or six. Mom was worried that the boys had developed extreme personalities -- one was a total pessimist, the other a total optimist -- their parents took them to a psychiatrist.

First the psychiatrist treated the pessimist. Trying to brighten his outlook, the psychiatrist took him to a room piled to the ceiling with brand-new toys. But instead of yelping with delight, the little boy burst into tears. "What's the matter?" the psychiatrist asked, baffled. "Don't you want to play with any of the toys?" "Yes," the little boy bawled, "but if I did I'd only break them."

Next the psychiatrist treated the optimist. Trying to dampen his out look, the psychiatrist took him to a room piled to the ceiling with horse manure. But instead of wrinkling his nose in disgust, the optimist emitted just the yelp of delight the psychiatrist had been hoping to hear from his brother, the pessimist. Then he clambered to the top of the pile, dropped to his knees, and began gleefully digging out scoop after scoop with his bare hands. "What do you think you're doing?" the psychiatrist asked, just as baffled by the optimist as he had been by the pessimist. "With all this manure," the little boy replied, beaming, "there must be a pony in here somewhere"

Pessimist. Half empty. That's how I used to describe my perspective. In high school, my nickname became "Complaint." I was so negative, then and up until two and half years ago. Being negative, highly insecure, and living from shame/self-hatred is draining - on you and others around you. The negativity still tries to slip back in. I have to fight it daily. I don't want to be "that guy" again.

This year I have decided to take a break from deer hunting. I may hunt a few times and even take the boys a couple of times, but overall, I am stepping back. Those who know me well have a hard time believing this. Deer hunting was an obsession. It got carried away. During my "pre-fallout years" I even hunted on Christmas Eve and Christmas morning. How ridiculous!

I lost friendships as a result of my hunting attitude. I even complained constantly about my "unsuccessful" hunts to Amy. She didn't want to hear it. I don't blame her. If I supposedly enjoyed it so much, then why did I complain so much? Because I was a negative person and couldn't see the "forest for the trees" as the expression goes.

When I think back on the long years of negativity, even as a child, I am still amazed Amy wanted to stay with me after August 26, 2011. She put up with my negativity, insecurity and self-hatred during our marriage, and then, to top it off, I turned my back on her. What an insult! I drained her for years with my attitude and need for approval, and then betrayed her and God. How sad. How amazing that I still get to wake up beside her and in the same house with beloved children. I am a blessed man.

No more! No more negativity, complaining, blame, unforgiveness, etc. That's what I want to say and commit to. It will require daily effort and "taking every thought captive unto Christ," and some accountability, but it's worth it. The seeds of negativity have to be stopped. I want to plan new seeds of faith, excitement, joy, gratitude, belief, passion, positivity, and hope. No more settling for less than God's best.

It's hard to have a good attitude with all that is going on in society. Negativity can show up at your doorstep every single day, seven days a week, with or without your permission. We are constantly bombarded by negative messages from the media and other sources that can impact the way we look at life. So much of projecting a positive attitude begins with having a positive and happy outlook on life. Happiness is the precursor to success,  not merely the result. Hard work will always be an ingredient for success, but when mixed with a happy disposition and good attitude, not only will you begin to experience the fruits of success, but you will also attract others to help you along the way. Jeff Olson, The Slight Edge

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Philippians 4:8,The Message (MSG)

^8-9 Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.