My daughter recently tried and accomplished something new. It
was really cool, both for her, and for me watching the process.
She was on top of all of the details and very excited...but then the process hit a snag. And her good mood quickly went downhill. I listened as she vented her frustration for a few moments.
"Now it's all ruined," she finally said.
"It's only ruined if you let be ruined," I said.
We talked about all the things that went well versus the one thing that didn't work right. I didn't minimize that one thing because I think it would have bugged me too.
But when looked at from a different perspective, it didn't outweigh what did go right. It didn't take away from what she accomplished. It was just part of the learning curve.
It's only ruined if I let it be ruined is easier said than done sometimes. I know.
But how often do we let that one thing take away from everything else?
That one negative comment in the midst of positive comments?
The one inconvenience in the day?
That one thing that didn't go right despite all that did go as planned?
The negative co-worker or rude person at the store?
Yes, these instances can be frustrating, and negative people can get on our last nerve.
But once a short-lived situation is over, the choice of whether or not to dwell on it for the rest of the day is ours to make. And sometimes we have to make that conscious decision to let. it. go.
She was on top of all of the details and very excited...but then the process hit a snag. And her good mood quickly went downhill. I listened as she vented her frustration for a few moments.
"Now it's all ruined," she finally said.
"It's only ruined if you let be ruined," I said.
We talked about all the things that went well versus the one thing that didn't work right. I didn't minimize that one thing because I think it would have bugged me too.
But when looked at from a different perspective, it didn't outweigh what did go right. It didn't take away from what she accomplished. It was just part of the learning curve.
It's only ruined if I let it be ruined is easier said than done sometimes. I know.
But how often do we let that one thing take away from everything else?
That one negative comment in the midst of positive comments?
The one inconvenience in the day?
That one thing that didn't go right despite all that did go as planned?
The negative co-worker or rude person at the store?
Yes, these instances can be frustrating, and negative people can get on our last nerve.
But once a short-lived situation is over, the choice of whether or not to dwell on it for the rest of the day is ours to make. And sometimes we have to make that conscious decision to let. it. go.
Can all
your worries add a single moment to your life?
Matthew 6:27 NLT
Matthew 6:27 NLT
Worry
doesn't add to our days, and reliving the negative moments takes away from what
we have right now. {Tweet this}
The weight of how we let situations affect us is up to us.
Obviously, sometimes the circumstances warrant long-term concern. But other times, we hang on to things that happened for too long. We let one thing cast a shadow over everything else, ruining our mood, our day, and often affecting those around us.
When we focus on the negative, it can consume us. But when we focus on the positive, it changes our perspective and how we walk forward in our day. {Tweet this}
One holds us back. The other clears the way for the next step.
Which will you choose?
The weight of how we let situations affect us is up to us.
Obviously, sometimes the circumstances warrant long-term concern. But other times, we hang on to things that happened for too long. We let one thing cast a shadow over everything else, ruining our mood, our day, and often affecting those around us.
When we focus on the negative, it can consume us. But when we focus on the positive, it changes our perspective and how we walk forward in our day. {Tweet this}
One holds us back. The other clears the way for the next step.
Which will you choose?
In Christ,
Laura
Linking up with: Purposeful Faith, #TeaAndWord, #TellHisStory,
Trekking Thru, GraceFull Tuesday, #RechargeWednesday, InstaEncouragements,
Let’s Have Coffee, Moments of Hope, #HeartEncouragement,
#DestinationInspiration, #TuneInThursday, Worth Beyond Rubies, #FreshMarketFriday,
Grace & Truth, #FaithonFire, Faith ‘n Friends, #WriterWednesday, #porchstories, Spiritual Sundays
