Attitude

When you think about something positive or someone says something positive to you is your first internal response, “Yes, that’s great!”, or is it, “Yes, but...”?

Our Experience

Libby was telling me about a conversation she had recently with someone who responded to anything positive said with a qualification.

It was as if she was committed to not being happy.

“That’ sounds like a great weekend trip coming up,” Libby said.

“Yeah, but I’m only doing it because no one will be around here,” was the response.

Not quite an Eeyore but headed in that direction.

Attitude brings up the “Glass Half-Empty or Glass Half-Full” analogy.

I am a full-on Glass More-than-Full and Overflowing person when it comes to other people.

Towards myself?

“Where did you get a glass?”

“I dropped my glass and it shattered.”

(Actually, not that pitiful.)

Brene Brown says that Joy is the most vulnerable emotion. We think we have to protect ourselves from the disappointment or tragedy waiting outside the door.

John Ortberg wrote that “joylessness is the most over-indulged sin” among Christians.

Immediately after Libby told me about her conversation, after I had passed judgment on the person for being too negative, I became aware of my own thoughts and responses. I was surprised that my reflexes tended in the

“Yes, but . . .” direction.

I was reminded of being with our nine-year-old granddaughter, Molly, last weekend. She was proudly showing me her collection of Squishys, which are popular now.

“Try this one, Papa.’

“This is neat, but it is too big for my palm.”

“Why is this one square on the bottom and round on the top?” I asked.

“Oh, that’s a gumdrop.”

“This cheese one is fun, but it seems to have some air in it, some loose skin that could tear easily.”

“I kind of like this stick-of-butter one but it’s not hard enough.”

“Try this big banana one,” she offered. “You can wrap it around your neck.”

“Nice, but I think it is a squash.”

Before I knew it, I had “Yes, but . . . “ every Squishy she had.

Except for the NeeDoh Fuzz Ball. Perfect! (Blue, not Pink)

By the way, if you are an exacting person, you will be a “Yes, but . . . “ person on steroids. You risk never being happy.

What is your default attitude?

Mark