Positive?
Too much of what we hear today is about the negative. Have we as a community and country gotten to a place where thinking and talking positive is out of style?
I am fed up, it's time to challenge the negative, we are too blessed and to fortunate to be or think any other way. Can I get an Amen here?????
I am fed up, it's time to challenge the negative, we are too blessed and to fortunate to be or think any other way. Can I get an Amen here?????
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by John Ramseur on -
AMEN, BROTHER!
The lives we live in civil disagreement with one another and a drink together afterward makes us the "Shining City on a Hill". Thank God we have each other to depend on. People in other nations can't say that about their neighbors.
Someone told me once that Hell and Heaven could be compared to two tables where sit diners chained to not reach their mouths. In Hell everyone goes without. In Heaven each one feeds their neighbor.
We feed each other in our community. And I think that's as positive as it gets.
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Permalink Reply by Adam Brooks on -
Amen!
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Permalink Reply by Darryl Parker on -
I think we don't realize the influence the 24/7 news channels on TV, radio and the Internet have on our lives. They have to report something and that something tends to be sensationalist. At the end of the day, the sum total of their influence greatly increases stress, and therein anxiety and ultimately can give you a negative outlook.
I have really had a great reduction of stress and increased my positive outlook by doing several things:
1) I stopped listening to the news all day long - I watch it in the evenings from time to time and I read the Economist magazine. Instead of listening to NPR while driving in the morning dropping my daughter off and coming into work, I now listen to music. She and I sing and have a good time and I am in a much lighter mood by the time I walk into the office.
2) I took my watch off and put it on my dresser about two months ago because the battery had died. I haven't put it on since and I am much more at ease. I'm not late to anything either - there are enough clocks elsewhere to keep me up to the moment. No more stress about what time it is.
3) I started practicing being quiet through a variety of ways including meditation, relaxation and gardening to name a few. Simply finding something to zone out on allows me to relax my mind and put things in perspective.
4) I really enjoy making connections in our community and getting to know folks. I especially like doing it over common ground such as gardening or local events. I enjoy volunteering when possible. I also really enjoy working with my clients because each of us know we are in it for the long term. Its great to be able to love what you do.
Keeping my stress low and having good friends and community gives me a very positive outlook on life.
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Permalink Reply by Paul Jamison on -
Darryl,
I am inspired to hear that you have taken control irregardless of how we are continually told that this type of attitude is wrong. This morning in a bible study, we discussed the fact that we measure ourselves and our worth based on these outside "things" that continually get pushed into our lives by media, society and by our own lack of focus on a healthier level of significance. I personally have made a commitment to work harder to measure my significance in this world through first and foremost Jesus Christ, and by working with others, my wife and my children and friends to a clearer more intimate relationship focusing on matters of the heart, not matters of mere things.
I personally can confess that I lost a lot of years focusing on the wrong things, which I know I will still do at times, and missed many precious moments but know that I have more left and cherish those as I finish out my time.
Again, it is not a matter of perfection, it is a matter of the heart. Tell me, What does your heart beat for?
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Permalink Reply by Darryl Parker on
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Having a strong understanding of self is enormously important to the way you move through life. Seeking to understand who I am - what my heart beats for - has led me to great rewards. My ignorance of me has led to many trials and tribulations. Our world is what we perceive it to be. Consciousness is required or we're simply passengers on the whims of society.
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Permalink Reply by Darryl Parker on
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By the way - a bible study group here at iMatthews might be a good idea too...
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Permalink Reply by Paul Jamison on
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I would love that. We should talk about it, I would be interested in working on that for sure
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Permalink Reply by Darryl Parker on
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I think iMatthews represents a great opportunity for local churches to gather online as well as reach out. I can see each church setting up a group for themselves and certainly registering calendars with the site. Google calendars can be placed on individual group pages too.
I tell you what - its really starting to feel like we're getting connected!
:)
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