FROM THE BACK PEW

My family and I have always seen the glass as being half full rather than half empty. I am a strong believer in that the way you choose to see the world creates the world you see. I urge you to surround yourself with positive people. Alone you are but a flame, but together you make a fire. Be warned there are plenty of “wet blankets” out there!

When a pessimist went in to donate blood, she was turned away. The nurse explained, "I'm sorry, but we don't need any 'B Negative' blood."

Pessimists expect the worst to happen, which often becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. A pessimist looks at a half-full glass and sees it as being totally empty. Do you know of anyone like that? If so don’t get too close. They can have an averse impact on your life. The following story depicts that truth. A man decided to start a hot dog business. He bought a cart, filled it with hot dogs, and pushed it down a busy city street during the lunch hour. He sold out, so he ordered more from his supplier. As the weeks passed, he kept expanding his business and became very successful.

One day his son came home from college and gave him some advice. “Dad, don’t you know what’s going on in the business world? Things are bad. We’re in a depression.” His father replied, “We are? I guess I’d better cut back on my supply of hot dogs.” So he did. He reduced his inventory, ordering only minimum quantities. Because he kept running out, his frustrated customers stopped buying from him. Several months later he shut down his business. That night he called his son at college and said, “Son, you were right. We are in a depression!”

The Bible gives us some good advice regarding negative thinking or as I would say “stink’n think’n): Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.