Deadlines to meet. Decisions to make. Duties to do.
Schedules to keep track of. Commitments to keep. Bills to pay.
Carpools. Laundry. Emails. Homework.
It’s no wonder how life can get too serious.
And if we’re not careful, so can we.
It’s been weeks of working late, under a looming deadline, stretching beyond myself, and feeling just a little overwhelmed.
Okay. A lot overwhelmed.
Seriousness has set in.
Sure, there’s a time and a place for being serious, but living in it 24/7? Friend, that’s not for me.
And it’s probably not for you either.
This fun-loving, happy-go-lucky girl has all of a sudden become a long-faced, somber, and a bit critical person. I wasn’t even aware of it until last evening, and I’m not sure what woke me up to this reality. But what I am sure of is this has got to stop.
Friend, life can be serious, but it shouldn’t get to the point where we become a walking billboard for it. The stresses and strains of life don’t have to steal our joy. The busyness doesn’t have to replace our peace.
But all to often, it does. At least for me.
When we allow the hard stuff, the seriousness, the stresses to rule in our lives, we find our attitudes and perspectives can take a hit. And we become the person we often try to avoid. The Negative Nelly. The Debbie Downer. The Bad-Attitude Arlene.
Or Judgmental Julie. She’s got got to go.
It’s like a downward spiral. A slippery slope. Before we know it, we’ve slipped into negativity.
So what do we do? How do we go from seriousness to lightheartedness? From negative to positive?
Pray. If you know me, the first thing I’m doing today is taking it to God. I’m asking Him to help me. To change me from the inside-out. To help my heart be cheerful.
Smile and spread joy. The second thing, I’m going to smile throughout my day, and spread as much joy as I can.
Fill up with good. Third, I’m going to read and listen to uplifting, encouraging words and songs to keep my spirit in tune with God’s.
Be positive. And fourth, I plan to say nothing negative, judgmental or critical today. Nothing.
That last one might be a tough one. But by golly, I’m done being Judgmental Julie.
How about you? How is your attitude today? Is it time for a tune-up? What keeps you from allowing life to become too serious? From slipping into negativity? I’d love to read your ideas below.
May you and I be the most uplifting, encouraging, and hope-filled people in the world today. May our attitudes be ones that positively influence others. And if life has become too serious, may be guard against not becoming that ourselves. May we smile more, and maybe even slip over to the silly side for a change.
I’m cheering you on today, and sending you a smile!
Bless you, friend.
Julie
It’s a blessing to link this post up with dear friends at Kelly’s for #RaRaLinkup and Holly’s for #TestimonyTuesday. You’ll be blessed and encouraged when you visit their blog homes!
Looking for more?
Enter your email to instantly access my FREE RESOURCES - exclusively for my readers!
Your information is safe with me and will never be shared.
Cool reminder, Julie … it’s way to easy to take ourselves way too seriously, to forget to travel lightly, to laugh easily, and discover the joy even on the difficult pathways.
Grateful for your uplifting words this morning!
;-}
I love that, Linda… to travel lightly. Thank you for those words that struck me. I’ll be traveling lightly the remainder of my day!
Gonna slip over to the silly side with you today, Julie! Great post! Just what I needed today. I want to be Grateful Attitude Anne today. Blessings, my friend!
I love that… Grateful Attitude Anne. You made me smile. Bless you, friend!
Julie!
Just found you via #RaRalinkup and Testimony Tuesday! Thank you for writing this and lifting me up with that smile today. This post made me smile : ) And take a deep breath. What a release into His joy! Thanks again!
Thank you, Bethany for your encouragement. Yes, take a deep breath. I should do that much more often. Blessings to you!
Hi Julie! Good post today, my friend. It’s hitting a common theme with several others. I find that when I strive and am not succeeding or progressing at a slower-than-hoped-for rate, the negatives start to hit. But when that need to strive is set aside and I find rest in the Savior, it’s a much better day. Visiting today via #RaRaLinkup.
Amen, Kristi. You know exactly how I have been feeling. I’m so glad you stopped by and shared. God bless you!
Julie, yes friend. This is such an important reminder for us all. So easy to become the Debby Downer etc. I don’t want my joy to be stolen either. I’m going to try and be that positive person. The world needs more kind people!
It’s hard to maintain a good attitude when you are tired. That’s my biggest challenge some days! Thanks for helping me look at how my attitude is affecting my life and also what is at the root of my bad attitude!
I can relate, Holly! I’m no good to anyone when I’m tired. Praying for both of us (and our attitudes) today!
Julie, thank you for asking me these important questions. Sometimes, I do think I need a tune-up. You bring me to my knees to ask my father to fix what is under my hood. I thank you for this dear friend. I thank you. Cheering you on from the #RaRalinkup on Purposeful Faith.
Thank you, Kelly. I’m cheering you on today too. Thank you for hosting the link each Tuesday. What a blessing to be a part of this beautiful community!