Wise Saying #1

There is a lot of negative atmospheric pressure stifling the positivity that so many of us seek to absorb like the vitamin D we get from the sun’s rays.  It’s becoming increasingly difficult to keep an open mind, benefit-of-the-doubt, innocent until proven guilty perspective with so many people (such as governmental officials, high-profile figures in the entertainment industry, business moguls, social activists, educators of all levels and backgrounds, and even individuals as close as community leaders and family members in our own neighborhoods and homes) falling so very short of their respective responsibilities to govern justly; lead by example; serve and protect; display a moral compass of citizenship, integrity, and respect; work towards the common good of society-at-large; direct and influence to promote positive outcomes; and love and nurture.  I know the preceding sentence has to be one of the longest ever, but it says so much for where we are as humanity in this vast world we live in.  And just like the sentence runs on, so does the negativity we must fight each day in order to keep an optimistic outlook on this journey we know as LIFE.

Why is it that the daily news can’t be filled with stories of triumph, joy, success, and life?  Instead they tend to be riddled with defeat, sadness, failure, and death.  I’m not suggesting that you stop watching the news in order to prevent depression and negativity from settling in.  No, it’s beneficial to be on alert and aware of what’s going on around you by keeping up with local and national newsworthy happenings that can affect you and those loved and befriended people around you.  Unfortunately, what you don’t know can hurt you.  So a good rule of thumb is to be educated with the need-to-know stuff but not engrossed with the madness that keeps the news media churning 24/7.

In pursuit of a self-help technique to combat the pessimistic blues, I’ve decided to go on an 8-week quest to find motivational/inspirational sayings that will stimulate optimism and hopefulness.  These sayings may be mere words; but words, especially spoken, can deliver a powerful punch.  Have you ever heard of the following: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof”?  Well, talking about wise sayings, I just quoted Proverbs 18:21 for you and I am a firm believer in every bit of what was just stated.  Don’t think for one moment that the things we say can’t make or break ourselves or someone else.  There’s so much I can say on this subject, but I may have to come back at a future date and expound upon this scripture from Proverbs in a separate blog post.  For now, I just want to give you some simple food for thought through some uplifting words of encouragement for the day.  I saw this saying on a hot plate on my Mom’s kitchen counter and was immediately drawn to it.  I meant to take a picture of it while I was at her house, but I forgot.  No biggie, though.  The picture of the hot plate is not the focus; the words on the hot plate are.  (See below).  I think I’ll memorize it and recite it when I need a little boost of positivity.  Well, now that I’ve provided you with Wise Saying #1, don’t be afraid to use it for your purposes.  I don’t own the exclusive rights to it; therefore, I deem it free for all of us to live and share.  Wise Sayings #2 – #8 will be sent your way:  one each week for the next 7 weeks.  In between times, don’t be shy about finding your own wise sayings to draw from when you need a little ray of sunshine.