Focus on the Positives

If you want to have a great life, focus on the positive in people. It is so easy in our culture to become cycnical. One of the most cyncial people I have ever witnessed is Scarlett O'Hara (a Gone with the Wind reference). I struggle to watch this vivacious whiner. Her dasterdly schemes turn my stomach. Yet, opposite her is the lovely Melanie. What a sweet woman (It seems Olivia DeHaviland often plays sweet roles). The contrast between these characters is one that should make each of us stop and evaluate our own attitudes about others.
Scarlett was constantly worried about life and what others thought of her. She consistently used and abused others to her own advantage. She had her own agenda and did whatever she needed to do to get what she wanted.
Melanie sought to assume the best in people. Though she was nieve about many, including Scarlett, she was uplifting and a woman of integrity. When she died, she was thought of with respect and dignity.
In a world of deceptive marketers and salesman trying to make a buck on our gullability, we obviously need to be careful in our evaluation of people. But let us be quick to point out the good in others and assume their innocence of character. Yes, we are all tainted with sin, but his does not mean that all are seeking to take advantage of every situation.
Paul writes in Col 3:12-14, "And so, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion , kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. And beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.
That sounds much more like Melanie than Scarlett to me. Let us seek to focus on the positives in others.

PS - I apologize that I have not blogged more recently. For some reason I could not access the site for a couple of weeks.