accentuate the positive

I seem to be much more the observer these days. I tended toward advice-giving in my earlier years. I still have strong opinions but have learned that giving my opinion if it's not asked for really does no good... and is a waste of time. If someone wants my opinion I guess they'll ask.  I think most people learn things by doing and often making mistakes.  I grew weary of thinking it was my responsibility to help people with their choices (thank goodness) and having to live with the consequences of bad ones. I remember my mom saying, "People do what they want to do". Though I still think it's wise to ask for advice I think I'm understanding what she meant by that simple statement.

Most days there is an abundance of complaining. Especially with social media, like Facebook, where people are given a voice of sorts.  Instead of seeing the good in a situation happening in the world... or the positive implications... someone often points out the negative. I'm certainly not a pollyanna, I see pitfalls to growth and change too, but I don't feel like I have to go around stating it all the time.  It seems it's usually the same people who are experts at being the killjoy in most situations. It's an attitude that spreads like wildfire. A friend recently posted something and then got all sorts of opinions and advice thrown her way. She commented.... "I'm 55 years old and still everyone wants to give me advice on how to live another day." I smiled... and thought that was pretty interesting!

I vaguely remembered a phrase or saying about accentuating the positive so I looked it up and ran across an old song written in the 1940's. Though before my time I knew the tune and some of the lyrics. It has been sung by many artists.... Johnny Mercer, Sam Cooke, Ella Fitzgerald, Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Perry Como, Willie Nelson.... the list is long. And the words are great!

We should do it more!

You got to ac-cent-tchu-ate the positive
E-lim-i-nate the negative
And latch on to the affirmative
Don't mess with Mister-in-Between.

You got to spread joy up to the maximum
Bring gloom down to the minimum
And have faith, or pandemonium's
Liable to walk upon the scene.