Are You a “Purifier”?
The Sunday before Easter, I shared some timely information about “attitude” from John C. Maxwell’s book “Today Matters”. I say timely because right now with so much turmoil going on around us – record unemployment, foreclosures, business failures, general unrest – our ability to maintain a positive attitude is being assulted.
During this time of upheaval, as senior citizens we can either choose to be a part of the problem or a part of the solution. Our attitude can set a positive tone. We can set an optimistic example. A good attitude can be contagious. Our kids, grandkids and the people around us need for us to be “purifiers” instead of “polluters.” Let me explain what I mean by that.
Fred Smith, one of John Maxwell’s mentors, said there are two kinds of people in any organization (or life): polluters and purifiers. Polluters are like smokestacks, belching out dirty smoke all the time. They hate clear skies, and no matter how good it gets, they can find a way to make it gloomy. When the people around them “breathe” their toxins, they feel sicker and sicker.
Purifiers, on the other hand, make everything around them better. It doesn’t matter what kind of rotten atmosphere they encounter. The take in the toxic words of polluters just as everyone else does, but they filter the words before passing them on. What goes in may be gloomy and negative, but when it comes back out, it’s fresh and clear. A breath of fresh air.
When you spend time with others, do they walk away feeling better or worse? Do you clear the air, giving them a fresh perspective and positive encouragement? Or do they go away feeling gloomy? Watch how people respond to you, and you’ll know which kind of person you are.
Bill Witcher is co-founder of Computer School for Seniors
He can be reached at bill@cs4seniors.com
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