It's All How You Look At It!

Frederick Langbridge died in 1923. The one thing that he left behind that has had a lasting impression is a short poem he wrote. It simply says:

"Two men look through prison bars; One sees mud the other stars."

It's a simple little poem with a powerful message. Some people are never happy. They are always looking at the negative side of things. It's one complaint after another. It's too hot. It's too cold. I don't like this. I don't like that. The world is going to pot. I don't like him. I don't like her. Why didn't he do this? Why did he do that? And on and on and on. All they see is mud. They dwell on the bad things in life and wallow in self pity.

On the other hand there are those whose outlook is always bright. It's the attitude, "If life hands you a lemon, make lemonade." These are the people who soak in the beauty of the stars. They see the positive side of life and when bad comes along they don't let it get them down. They just "keep on, keeping on."

In the movie Pollyanna, Pollyanna plays the "Glad Game". It's a game where you look for the best in everything. She illustrates it by saying her missionary father thought of it when she asked for a doll for Christmas and was sent a pair of crutches instead. What was so "glad' about that? They were glad that they didn't have to use them!

Which are you? How do you wake up in the morning? What type of attitude do you reflect on others? Today, open up the newspaper, find the most depressing story you can and see what good you can see in it. Make it a point to be positive looking up instead of down.

And when you really get down remember the Psalmist in Psalms 118:24: "This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it!"

Today can be a great day no matter what comes your way. "It's all how you look at it!"