Friday, July 18, 2008
Positivity
"You inject drama into every project. You celebrate every achievement. You find ways to make everything more exciting and more vital. Some cynics may reject your energy, but you are rarely dragged down. Your Positivity won’t allow it. Somehow you can’t quite escape your conviction that it is good to be alive, that work can be fun, and that no matter what the setbacks, one must never lose one’s sense of humor."
These words are an excerpt from my personality report that all the students were strongly encouraged (forced) to do. And this Positivity just happens to be recorded as my strongest and most prominent trait. But if you really want an example of "You inject drama into every project ... You find ways to make everything more exciting and more vital."? Take a look at Racial Harmony Day on Wednesday.
A proud Dayak. You know, I exited the hostel like this. You will not BELIEVE how many people stared. None. Honest. They looked and saw me, and then averted their eyes. How remarkable. Same thing happened in the bus. Same thing happened at school, although the people who were expecting it burst into laughter. Then again, that was my intention. Call me an attention seeker. I prefer the term Positivity.
"Some cynics may reject your energy, but you are rarely dragged down. Your Positivity won’t allow it.", says another part of my report. Someone once commented that I seemed to have a limitless supply of energy. Does that mean I try to be lively all the time? That rather sounds like part of my life philosophy, but still, limitless? Someone else just told me last night that I'm still human, and that clearly, no human can have an endless supply of energy. But I seem to. Or rather, whenever I'm out in the open, it manifests without fail. Where does this strength come from?
"The joy of the Lord is my strength", indeed. I am holding on to the Word that God spoke to me almost a year ago, through one of my more-in-tune-with-God church friends. "Next year will be a new year", He said. "The past will not hold you back, not anymore. It's a new start, a clean slate, where all your mistakes are washed away, to begin anew." My past was something I could not be proud of. But after hearing this promise, I took a hold of it, and held on so tightly, all the while thanking Him who gave me new hope. He hadn't finished speaking, though.
"I ask this of you," He spoke further through my friend, "That with this clean slate, you will learn to put Me first, and as you do this, I will empower you with My love, My joy and My peace, that through you, your whole community might be blessed."
Bringing God's love to my community. That has become my new motto in life, to bless everyone I see, everyone I know, to lift their spirits whenever possible, to be a lively companion wherever needed and to smile. All the time.
Because God loved me, and still does, despite all my faults, my failings, my problems. He still loves and accepts me. Jesus accepted the punishment I should have received. Who can come face to face with this incredible unfathomable love, and not want to spread it around? I want to spread His love as much as a human vessel can, in the unique manner my God-given personality commands.
Positivity.
But who is my community? Obviously, everyone I know. But what about those I don't know? Get to know them. What a wonderful cycle. God has affected my personality so much that His joy is infused into my personality. I am Adaptable, Positive, a Developer, Likeable and an Includer, according to my report. Thank God for that. And as I go about trying to bring His love to my community, here's how I'm going to do it.
Stretch the circle wider. WITH ENERGY!!!
