I’m sure all of us have known people who are most always gloomy.  We have names for them like “Debbie Downers” for a female or “Danny Downers” for a male.  I have often referred to them as “Eeyores”, the forever pessimistic donkey from E. E. Milne’s Winnie the Pooh stories.  My dad used to say “If someone gave them $50, they’d be mad it wasn’t $100.”  We all know them.  I remember one woman in my life many years ago who found fault in anything and everything and it sucked the life out of those around her.  I am embarrassed to admit that when I saw her at a distance in the grocery store, I would immediately change direction so I didn’t have to listen to her doom and gloom about life. I didn’t know how to deal with her.

There are many reasons people can be this way. For some this is a defense mechanism. If they think everything is going to be bad and by some miracle something turns out good, they can momentarily feel joy until they think about the next day and fear or anxiety overtakes them about what tomorrow could bring. They think feeling this way shields them from the trap of getting their hopes up and having them squashed once again. Their motto might be “Expect the worst and be stunned if things turn out well”.

When problems arise, a cheerful person sees an interesting challenge or an exciting opportunity to grow. The gloomy person sees only problems and more problems and even positive events are viewed as potential difficulties. Some are born with a naturally cheerful disposition and sadly some are burdened with its opposite.  All of us however, have some control over our outlook and can with conscious effort and work improve our outlook.  Go outside and take a walk in the sunshine or nature, listen to happy music or watch an uplifting movie.

Proverbs 15:13 NIV tells us “A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.”

With God’s unconditional love to lift us up, and prayer for strength, guidance and hope, we can find happiness and joy in our lives and be thankful for the goodness He gives instead of waiting for the next shoe to drop. Remember, it takes 26 muscles to smile and 62 to frown.  Being cheerful lifts not only your spirit, but others want to be around you too.  Thanks be to God.

Patty’s post one year ago