Are you a ‘nega’ star?

Many years ago, as I was driving my little nephews and nieces to the province, one of them saw a pig on a tricycle, and she joyfully exclaimed: “Oh, how good is that man. He is giving his pig a joy ride!” I saw a pig ready for butchering, while she saw a lucky pig out for touring.

In today’s Gospel (Mark 6:1-6), we hear how Jesus came and taught in His native place. His audience was amazed at His wisdom and eloquence, but instead of honoring Him, they took offense at Him! Instead of seeing and appreciating the positive, they focused on the negative. May the Lord help us see, think, and appreciate the positive in this world that is so full of negativities!

Are you a “nega-star”? Do you see, do you speak, or do you act in a negative way at whatever or whoever? Psychologists tell us that negative people see their negatives in other people. “A thief sees a thief in every person” (Unknown). They also say that negative people are insecure people, who cope with their insecurities by “leveling” others, and even putting down and shooting down others above them. Whatever. The thing is that “nega” people hurt others in their thoughts, words, and deeds.

“NEGA” THINKER. “Nega” thinkers are those who choose to see what is wrong, what should be, and what could have been. Many of them mean well, but they end up mean. They are the ones who see and count what is missing, instead of seeing blessings. They end up becoming doubters, cynics, pessimists, bullies, and bashers. They are imprisoned by their own thoughts and perceptions. They live very limited, guarded, entitled, suspicious, and lonely lives. They trust no one; not even God. May the Holy Spirit set us free from negative thoughts, perceptions, and feelings! “Trust the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5-6).

“NEGA” TALKERS. “From the mouths of babies and infants, you have found perfect praise, Oh God” (Psalm 8:2). Sad to say, from the mouths of people, there are so many negative, fake, false, and cruel words these days! The tongue has become a sharp tool to hurt, put down, destroy, and persecute people. With the internet, this culture of negative talk has become so prevalent, easy, and available. Remember, destroying other people is so unfair and bad. And remember, too, that what you do to other people will come back to you. We have to remind ourselves that it is not okay to mock, lie, curse, slander, and use dirty words.

“NEGA” DOERS. “Do good, avoid evil.” This moral principle remains true and unchanged. Let us not be overcome by the culture of violence, stealing, human rights violations, wars, and modern forms of slavery. We still uphold that life is precious and that things are not more important than people. Let us not give up trying to be good and let us keep believing that it is still a wonderful world we are living in.

Let us not miss out on what I call “GEMs” (God Encounter Moments) in our journey through life. Let us become more aware and more mindful of God’s presence in things, events, people, and situations. Let us acknowledge and proclaim His presence so that we will not be overcome by the negativities that abound inside and outside us. Where God is absent, darkness sets in. Where God is present, the light wins. Let us try to always be on the side of the Light.

Remember, it is easier to doubt than to believe. Choose to believe anyway. It is easier to criticize than to encourage. Choose to encourage anyway. It is easier to be proud than to be humble. Choose to be humble anyway. It is easier to be sad than to be happy. Choose to be happy anyway. It’s your call. It’s your choice. It’s your life.

Instead of being judgmental, why don’t you and I take the risk of being affirmative and appreciative of other people? Make it a habit to affirm at least one person every day, starting with yourself.