What Makes You Smile

Thank you DAD! 

My father is one of those men that is not only my father, but also my best friend.  It speaks pretty loudly to the kind of man that he is because I am not his only child to call him their best friend.  Actually, six of us do!

He is an amazing man that encourages us all to continue growing stronger and learning in all areas of our lives.  After all, God didn’t put us here to become stagnant.  And despite what Lauren thinks, no one knows EVERYTHING.

We’ve all experienced not-so-enjoyable moments and stressful situations in life.  It’s almost inevitable, but it’s how we respond to those situations that define the kind of person that you are.  These are all situations that we can learn from and our responses should get better each time and hopefully grow more mature as we learn.

One of the best bits of advise that he’s given me is to be kind, be strong, and always forgive.

Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you. – Ephesians 4:32

Although, we are human!  It’s not always as easy as it sounds, right?  Well wrong.  We are in control of our thoughts.  We are capable of choosing to go walking around pissed off, with a chip on our shoulder, or feeling like a victim.  Then again we are also capable of taking control of our outlook on life and choosing to be positive.

My dad shared this knowledge by telling me one of his college stories. 

No it’s not that kind of college stories… Goodness, what did you do in college?

He conducted an experiment.  He would take his subject talk to them about something that really upset them.  Sometimes, it would take a bit… but, soon he would find their button and the subject would open up and share about whatever it was that upset them, it be their job, school, professor, husband/wife, boyfriend/ girlfriend, kids, or parents.

After he encouraged them to talk about the negative subject, only re-upsetting themselves as they retold the stories.  He would wait until they were apparently upset and then hand them a piece of paper and pencil and then ask them to list things that made them happy.  As he handed them the paper, he would begin timing just how long it took for them to change their mindset and begin to think of things of a positive nature. 

As he explained this to me, he made me realize that we all have a switch and that we are in control over that switch. 

Can you instantly begin thinking of things that make you happy?  How long does it take you to be positive after focusing on negative thoughts?

Some people may take seconds, minutes, hours, days, and some may not be able to begin thinking of “happy thoughts”.  As we mature and gain control of our mindset then it is much easier to truly be kind to even the person that is creating those negative emotions.  I always try to remember that God created them too, and that He made us all.  Who are we to chose to be rude to one of His creations?  We are ALL human.  We ALL make mistakes.

Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. - Colossians 3:13