Positive Attitude From Positive Association

I was speaking to a very high-level managing consultant and he said that in a company, even one person who is seriously negative can spoil a whole operation. Just one bad apple could make all the apples turn bad. It is depressing to be with somebody who is negative and complaining. However, even when we are in a difficult situation, if we see somebody hopeful, enthusiastic, and with a positive attitude, it brings us life. It brings us enthusiasm. It brings us hope and happiness.

Some years back one of my very dear friends, Stanley, departed from this world. He had a very severe disease and physically he suffered for many years. But he was famous by the nickname “Jolly”! He was always laughing. He was always making everyone happy. This is the positive attitude. He told me on many occasions, “Pain may be inevitable but suffering is optional.” The experience of pain is there, that may not be a choice.

But how we are going to perceive it is optional. It is our free choice, whether we want to suffer or not. We could see the pain as the grace of God and find deep fulfillment, gratitude and learn many lessons, rather than simply suffer. It is a matter of our choice-what mood we cultivate, how we are going to interpret a particular situation. Stanley had the right attitude and was grateful.

To associate with people like Stanley and to associate with those free choices that bring us closer to God, that increase our faith in God, and simultaneously raise our values in life-that will transform our hearts.