Do the Positive

Years ago my dad came upon a simple story with great advice. The message of this story quickly became his frequent advice to me.  Here is the story he related to me: “In high school I wanted to try out for the basketball team. I loved the game but didn’t have the moves. And I wasn’t tight with the cool kids on the team. I sweated the decision and started to chicken out. I told myself, “You don’t really want to spend all your free time shooting hoops.”

That’s when Mom said, “When in doubt, do the positive.” Can’t decide whether you should get all dressed up and go to that party? Don’t know if you should ‘intrude’ on a new neighbor with a homemade welcome cake? Worried that an old lady would find you rude for offering to help her with her grocery bags? Do the positive! Go to the party, bake the cake, help the old lady! A life of doing is better than one of regretting what you didn’t dare do.”

 

 Each time I was feeling afraid or hesitant my dad reminded me to “Do the Positive”. That saying became our family motto and has even earned itself a plaque in our home. Just like my dad, our Father in Heaven wants just that. He wants us to do the positive. 

Lately I've been trying to "do the positive". It's a lot harder than it sounds, but it really is worth it. People generally don't find you rude or intrusive for doing something nice. Although sometimes it can be scary or awkward, the payoff comes when you make someone's day, build a friendship, or change someone's life.