The Bright Side of Things

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“Those who wish to sing, always have a song.”
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Years ago when my kids were in university I would sometimes tag along with them to a night class. I remember this one night very well. 

My son Tyler and I had started to commute to the local university together one night a week. Tyler had a night class, and I chose to go along. I would just bring my laptop and big bag of marking to keep me occupied, so it was a win - win for both of us. I loved that it was a great time to chat and catch up for Tyler and I. Tyler appreciated the company and I very much enjoyed the chance to spend some one on one time with him. 

I recall on this particular week it was pouring rain like I had never seen. We unfortunately got caught in back to back traffic near the U.S. border for about an hour. For miles, semi-trucks were backed up as far as the eye could see. We felt like very small fish in a very big pond with so many huge vehicles surrounding us. Yikes! Many times we were at a complete standstill and to add to the dilemma, the rain kept pouring down. The situation was less than ideal,  but somehow being together made it that much more bearable. 

Tyler made the observation that he was so grateful that I had come along as it was quite an intimidating feeling being sandwiched in by a barricade of massive trucks. I reflected on the fact that I was so thankful we had stopped for gas and a bite to eat prior to heading into Windsor. Tyler also mentioned that much to his relief midterms were two weeks ago, so the pressure to make it on time to class was lifted. 

Realizing there was nothing we could do about the situation, rather than complain we chose to see the bright side. I realize this is often hard to do, but we chose to settle in and just accept it. With a warm coffee in hand, a positive outlook and good company, an irritating scenario was suddenly quite comfortable, and even enjoyable, because we simply CHOSE to view it that way.

Life is funny sometimes. We can often handle the big things in our lives but it is the little things that often weigh us down.

We have to make a choice of how we will respond to negative situations.

When we feel surrounded by life’s demands that have put our world at a standstill, do we put on our seatbelts and enjoy the journey, or do we honk and yell and complain the whole way? 

Our response is our choice, yet some days, let’s be honest are sure harder than others. Some days just seem to hand us one stress-filled scenario after another. We can be left thinking - Lord have mercy! When will this day end? 

One of my favourite children's books is Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible No-Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst. In this very funny book everything seems to go wrong for Alexander on this very bad day. He has cavities at the dentist, no dessert packed in his lunch, he was declared a “third best friend” by someone he considered a BFF and to add insult to injury was even rejected by the family cat. 

As the story continues he repeatedly declares he is moving to Australia insinuating that that is the "magical place" where problems no longer exist! At the end of the story his mother reassures him that tomorrow will be a better day and that many people have terrible, horrible, no – good very bad days, even in Australia. 

Alexander’s feeling that there is some geographical cure for his hardships is not uncommon. I have heard time and time again people say such things that if they just “lived here,” or “moved there,” their lives would be so much better. The reality that those people seem to miss is that wherever you go, your problems follow you. Sadly whatever is unresolved “here,” will still be unresolved “there.”  

Happiness is a choice. Happy people do not necessarily have happy lives. Many have lives that are actually very stressful and sad, yet somehow they still have found a reason to be joyful. Outlook is everything. 

A little boy in my class years ago had an expression he was always known to say when faced with a challenge. Like clockwork he would take a deep breath, smile and say “I will try my best.” I really respected him for that and it was clearly the secret to his success. No matter what life brings our way when we try our best to have a positive attitude and view challenges as a learning opportunity, many wonderful things can happen.

Remembrance Day is coming soon. I remember one Remembrance Day assembly we had there was a song that really spoke to me. It was called “Do You Know Where I Find Peace?” The song went on to say “peace begins inside of me” and I couldn’t help but think how very true that statement was. We can make peace with our situations and by doing so allow ourselves to be more effective to others. 

I have found that the most powerful example to others are those who are in the storms of life, yet still find a reason to be joyful.

The expression “Life is hard, but God is good,” is very true. We were never promised a perfect life. We were never promised all rainbows and no storms. 

What we are promised is that we have a God who hears our prayers and is “closer than a brother,” to help us through our trials. Doing our part by keeping our spirits positive and trying to see the good in less than ideal situations can really give us an advantage in life. 

Life can be really hard but please know that we all go through hard times. Tough times don’t last, but tough people do. The expression that we often don’t want to hear when we are in the thick of problems is “this too shall pass,” but it is really accurate.

What has life handed you today? Do you feel like moving to Australia? I hope not but if so, know that tomorrow is a new day and we serve a God who says that His mercies are “new every morning.” 

Be encouraged as you never know what tomorrow will bring. Tomorrow could  just hold that breakthrough you have been waiting for, so let’s look at the bright side!

Until  next  time,
Dana

Lamentations 3: 22-23 ~ The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end. They are new every morning, great is your faithfulness.

Little Lesson Learned: There usually is a bright side to little stressful situations if we are willing to look for it.

Tags: positive attitude, positive outlook, the bright side, look for the good, life is good, tough times don't last

​Copyright: © 2024 littlelessonslearnedbydana (Dana Romualdi) second edition / first edition 2014: called The Bright Side

Author

Dana Romualdi is a Canadian elementary teacher, blogger, author, and speaker. Dana desires to "love God and love people" whole heartedly. She has a passion for helping others and spreading much needed encouragement. Dana lives in Canada with her husband and two grown children. When she is not working in the classroom or blogging, she enjoys drinking coffee, watching Netflix and reading great books.