Starting that new year

It's a new year and like everyone else, I'm hoping I can get a good start off to the new year...I want it to be a good start to a good year...So far, things are going pretty good and I can honestly say that I have high expectations for the coming year and am determined to keep a positive attitude and keep all negativity at bay! Now, I suppose everyone's wondering how I plan on doing that...well, that's what I'm here to talk about so as I adjust my thinkin' cap..let's see what brilliant ideas I can come up with to maintain that elusive positive attitude!
First of all, I think, in order to keep a positive attitude, I am going to have to eliminate all things that create negativity in my life! What causes negativity..well, negative people for one! I will have to avoid some people that tend to be sadsacks and do complain a lot...Yikes...I know quite a few people like that! So, do I hide when I see one coming? No, I just politely find ways to avoid prolonged encounters with such people and situations that put me in their general area..that will be a challenge at work, believe me, cause they are everywhere!!! I realize that sometimes it is really hard to maintain a positive attitude at the workplace..but I know people who do nothing but complain most all day long!
I must come up with a line that will be both polite and yet get the message out that I am not interested in listening to a long drawn out sob-story! Anyone with a good suggestion of such a line..feel free to comment!
Next, I'm going to sit down and write everything good that is going on in my life..at home, at work..at my church and with everyone I know and then make a list of some of the things that could use some sprucing up....like my own attitude, how I relate to people and situations that make me feel inferior or uncomfortable, and what I can do to improve my communicating skills. If everyone would do this once in a while, I believe we could actually help ourselves overcome some of the little things that hinder us from keeping a positive attitude! If we were to admit it to ourselves, I think we would all have to agree that we can be our own worst enemies....our thoughts and feelings about ourselves can sometimes lead to negativity and when we have negative thoughts about ourselves, we invariably think bad things about others also.
Always look for the good in others; acceptance and forgiveness of others is a sign of maturity. Spiritual growth depends on being able to forgive others of their shortcomings....we must never forget that the faults we see in others are often the same faults they see in us!
I'm by no means an expert on positivity or do I have all the answers for everyone who wants this to be a better year than last year was! It's just my hope to do the best I can to be more considerate of others, more understanding of my own feelings and less apt to nit-pick and find fault with those around me! I'm counting on some of my friends to help me out and do the same!