Proverbs 17:22
Attitude! We see in all around us. Athletes
demonstrate it when they score a point. Politicians show it when they take
their own picture during a funeral. We show it when we are asked to do
something we don’t really want to do. Attitude says so much about our view of
self, of others and of God.
Attitude
can change how we view life. If we have an attitude that says, “I get to” do
this or that, rather than “I have to”, it makes a big difference in how we
approach tasks and people. If we choose to be grumpy, gloomy and complaining, life
will turn in that direction. Pretty soon everything, even the most joyous
moments will lose their energy.
Our
proverb tells us the benefits of a cheerful heart. There are few things in life
that cost less, but that have such a great impact. Laughter is one of those
things. When we are able to see the joys in life and feel that joy, it changes
us. Science has confirmed the benefits of laughter in recent years. Often, changing
the way we think changes the way we feel. Choosing to see something from a
different perspective changes the way we experience it.
When
people give up on life, they give up on joy and laughter. Think about life in a
nursing home. Few things seem more depressing than loneliness. Family doesn’t
come and visit. Activity dwindles. Variety disappears. When people give up,
they do seem to dry up. Their conversations seem shorter and on fewer topics.
Their world seems to shrink. They all get treated as if they were children,
unable to do anything for themselves. Joy leaves the building.
But
have a group of children visit, and all the smiles return. Have them sing
songs, be silly, interact, and the world becomes bigger, at least for the
moment. Have dances, make cookies, listen to or perform favorite music for
their youth, and they come alive.