Optimism in the face of cynicism

 I am reading or starting to read this book called standing for something by Gordon B Hinckley and it's really good.  My husband is a reader and he recomended it to me so I have decided to read it and I am not a normal reader because sometimes I start backwards so I started with chapter nine because of it's title and I felt that is what was happening to me.  So, anyhow, in the chapter the author says that "we should stop seeking out the storms and enjoy more fully the sunlight, I am suggesting that as we go through life, we accentuat the positive. I am asking that we look a little deeper for the good, that we still our voices of insult adn sarcasm, that we more generously compliment and endorse virtue and effort."

So I got to thinking how true that is, at least I noticed that it was happening to me very often lately. I have been very cynical at times especially about politicians.  Then I read a part in the chapter where he says that "rather than making cutting remarks one to another, could we not cultivate the art of complimenting, of strengthening, of encouraging? What wonders we can accomplish when others have faith in us!"

As I read that I realized how true it was, it reminded me of mom. Not my biological mom but yet a mom to me because I lived with her for a few months while I was trying to figure out my life.  I remember how I would come home late at night and she would wake up and we would have late night talks and there is not one time that I can think of that she wouldn't compliment me or encourage me.  It was such a strange feeling at first because although my biological mom was a great mom I don't remember ever really getting so many compliments.  I know it was because of her that I was able to find the wonderful man that is my husband. Had it not been because of her I just might not have recognized him or actually felt I deserved such a great man.

Because of her I accomplished something in my life that I just know I couldn't of without her encouragement or her good remarks.  Lets not be so cynical and look for the bad, it only damages us and we hurt others through our remarks. I remember that the words of encouragement and the confidence that mom  she had in me made me feel worth more than I thought I was worth. She helped me to realize that I had something to offer to others as well.  Those words of encouragement helped me make the right decisions at the right times.  I know that I am guilty of being so cynical and I feel that I been more cynical this past year than at other times in my life. Perhaps it is because now I am not so naive and see more that there is a lot of bad in the world. But I know that it is only damaging me, I am more angry at the world and seems to me that in some way  I take it out on my family.  I hope that I haven't damaged others through my cynicism.

I just had a thought since I am writing this for the public to see I  would like to make a promise to give up my cynical remarks and focus on the good that others have to offer after all most of us have good to offer we are children of a Heavenly Father.