Choosing a Life-Giving Attitude
Life is full of beauty—but it's easy to get lost in the daily grind and to fixate on our hardships rather than our blessings. Each day presents new challenges, both large and small, that can weigh heavily on our hearts if we let them. However, it is up to us to choose the attitude with which we want to approach life- challenges and joys alike. It’s important to recognize that being positive doesn’t mean pretending life is always easy. True joy is not about ignoring suffering; it’s about facing reality with a spirit rooted in hope and bringing that hope to others.
Living with an uplifting, positive attitude is a choice we make every day, sometimes even hour by hour. It means acknowledging the difficulties we encounter—whether they be personal struggles, tension in relationships, or the brokenness we see in the world—and yet choosing not to let them have the final word. Hope reminds us that even in moments of uncertainty or sorrow, there is goodness ahead. Joy tells us that today still holds something beautiful even if it is difficult.
A positive spirit isn’t just for our own benefit; it is something we bring with us in our interactions with others as well. Small gestures—smiling at a stranger, offering a kind word, listening with patience, expressing gratitude—are powerful ways to lift others’ burdens and remind them they are not alone. In fact, one of the greatest gifts we can give is encouragement: a genuine reminder that someone’s efforts are seen, that their presence matters, and that brighter days are coming.
Here are a few simple ways to nurture a life-giving attitude:
Begin each morning with gratitude. A few moments of thanksgiving to God can reframe your entire day.
Allow yourself to feel honestly and move on. It's important to honor your feelings and the feelings of others, but it's typically not helpful to dwell on them. Acknowledging feelings and then having the strength to move forward and continue to act with joy is a wonderful way to be a more uplifted individual.
Listen well and speak life into others. Look for opportunities to offer encouragement to your family, friends, and even casual acquaintances. Rather than complaining or dominating conversations, listen first, offer words of hope, and be genuine with those you encounter.
Practice small acts of kindness. Take the time to do something extra for someone you encounter. Practicing kindness is just as beneficial for us as it is for those around us. It shapes us into more generous, thoughtful people.
Choose hope daily. In moments you feel yourself despairing, actively call yourself out and look for the positive. One helpful technique from Psychology Today is, when you have a negative thought about something, is to follow it by "nevertheless," and then explain to yourself why it is going to be okay or you are going to do a difficult thing anyway. Read more on this technique.
Each of us has the ability to create an atmosphere where others feel seen, valued, and inspired. When we lead with hope, we create encounters that are truly life-giving — something our world needs now more than ever.
Let's be people who lift the hearts of those around us, starting with our own commitment to live each day with courage, joy, and steadfast hope.
Hope in Service
One of the pillars of what we do here at Home Unlimited is bringing joy and cheerfulness into the home and to the world through service. At our seminars, women are given the tools to love others well and to create spaces in which individuals feel welcomed, comfortable, and cared for.
To learn more about why we do what we do, click this link to our website.
