Powerful Words and Thoughts

Seems like everywhere you turn these days, there's ALWAYS someone complaining about something. The most common complaint at the moment of course is the economy. So we've probably ALL been affected in some way by our dwindling economy, right? Did you lose your job or get a pay cut? Perhaps you didn't get your Christmas bonus this year. Or maybe your house went into foreclosure because you weren't able to afford mortgage payments anymore.
During this time, I've found that it's so easy to let our thoughts and words bring us down even further. It's much simpler to surround ourselves with people who enable us to wallow in self-pity instead of finding friends who will encourage us to think of ideas that will help us overcome our struggles.
Growing up, I was taught that the tongue and the mind were both EXTREMELY powerful tools. Books like "PsychoCybernetics," "The Power of Positive Thinking" and "Hung By the Tongue" taught me that these two tools could either bring us ABUNDANT LIFE or PREMATURE DEATH, depending on how we used them. I also learned that WHO and WHAT you listen to affect how you think.
All of these teachings came rushing back to me these past couple years as I found myself constantly complaining about my personal situations in life. Everyday, I'd go to work or call up a family member and just start COMPLAINING about something. But then the question hit me...WHO WANTS TO BE AROUND SOMEONE WHO IS ALWAYS COMPLAINING?! I sure didn't. A person like that just doesn't make you feel good; often they start to bring you down with them.
So, after listening to a VERY wise woman (my mother...who else?), I decided to become a grateful person. This changed my life. No matter what your circumstance may be, there's ALWAYS something to be thankful for. I put aside my anger, bitterness & resentment and began to count my blessings. When I started looking at the positive aspects of my life...it helped me start problem-solving. Willie Nelson once said,

"Once you replace negative thoughts with positive ones, you'll start having positive results."

And this philosophy has transformed my life. It's helped me become a better mother to Roo, a better friend, a WAY BETTER employee & a more confident person inside. I'm not ALWAYS positive and chipper, but if I'm having "just one of those days," I know that I have terrific friends and family members who can speak uplifting words of encouragement and bring me right back up. :)