I think we all know that life is a series of ups and downs. For someone who doesn’t enjoy roller coasters, I can admit that I like the ups better. We all do, or at least we don’t admit it if we really like to wallow in misery. So how are you doing right now? The economy is still very shaky and, from my conversations, the Baton Rouge area is beginning to feel it even more in the last six months. I know more people are out of work and those working feel like the environment reflects the negative vibe of the economy.
Are You Part of the Negative Vibe?
I know most of us want things to be better personally and would appreciate it if the work environment were positive, upbeat and productive. But the real question, that requires reflection, personal honesty, and a dose of self awareness is “Am I contributing to a positive, upbeat and productive environment?”
You are probably thinking, “Yeah, but you don’t know the jerk I work for” or “you don’t know what they are putting us through”. That is true; I don’t. But I do have an idea. I worked for a lot of people, and I managed a lot of people over the past 20 years. I can honestly say that if I was in a terrible mood, and feeling the pressure of my job, my boss, and the walls that felt like they were crumbling down around me, the people around me responded with a similar negative bent. My bosses didn’t rush to find ways they could make my life easier or even try to cheer me up. My staff didn’t work harder so we could accomplish more in hopes of reducing their beloved boss’ stress. When I am negative, angry, grumpy or (fill in your adjective), people tend to avoid me, respond back in defense, or join the pity party making the thickness of oppression in the environment even more smothering.
Take Back Control
We can’t control the economy as a whole. We can’t always influence our company the way that we want to, but we can completely control ourselves. If you want to make a difference in your life and in other people’s lives……….
fight back with an arsenal of POSITIVE!
Show a positive attitude regardless of the situation.
Offer to help in any way at work that you can make a contribution.
Encourage others.
Work harder!
Smile more!
Practice gratitude.
Look for ways you can make a difference.
We Can Be Positive with the Holy Spirit’s Guidance
The economy is bad, local business is having it’s ups and downs, and people we know are being impacted in some way or another. Try these things. Take the next week and see how much POSITIVE energy you can provide at work, at home, and with friends. If you don’t think you can muster up the enthusiasm on your own, pray for the Holy Spirit to provide you with the fruits of self-discipline, love, joy and gentleness. Oh, and let’s not forget a double dose of patience! With God’s help we can do it. I believe that we will REAP what we SOW and that our world will be filled with more positive and more peace than we imagine is available.
How do you combat the downhill ride on the roller coaster? Are you one of the many in the picture above with your eyes closed, knuckles white as the clench the bar, and guttural sounds coming from you? Or are you the guy with your hands in the air trusting God and leaning in to the experience?
