Negativity

I’m that guy.

I’m that guy starting a blog post with the words “Well, I know I haven’t blogged in a while, but…”  I didn’t want to be that guy.  When I started this blog I made it a point not to be that guy.

But I’m that guy.

In my defense, May has been a really busy month.  Our family has had a lot going on, and I was sick for a little while there.  But the real reason that I haven’t blogged is because I haven’t had anything to say.

Or at least not anything good.

You see, at the beginning of the year I made it a point to be more positive.  I set out with this blog to encourage people, not to air my grievances.  But the reality is I’ve hit a bit of a negative patch here this month, and when you are depressed it’s hard to think of encouraging things to write about.  And my momma always told me that if you can’t say something nice, you shouldn’t say anything at all.  As a result I took some time away from the internets and choose to work on me for a little while.

I will tell you that through it all I’ve been reminded that the opposite of a negative attitude isn’t a positive one.  When I sense myself getting negative I promise myself that I will choose to be more positive, but in the words of Mary Poppins “that’s a pie crust promise; easily made, easily broken.”  No, instead for me, and maybe for you too, I’ve found that the opposite of a negative attitude is the choice of gratitude (it rhymes, so it must be true).  With all of the crazy things happening in our world and to people I care about, I’m working on being grateful for the blessings that I have.  When I fill my heart up with gratitude for what God has already done for me and is doing in, around, and through me, there isn’t any more room for negativity, selfishness, or depression.

In case you are wondering, I’m feeling a lot better, but you can always pray for me if you like.  It never hurts.