Smiley the Motivational Speaker

  Upon attempting sleep tonight, I flipped through the TV channels until I found something interesting.  No it wasn't a "reality" show, although I do enjoy a few of them!  I came upon who I call "Smiley".  I can't remember his name, but that shouldn't surprise those who know me.  He is a preacher of some type, but mostly just gives motivational talks.  I have to say, he is motivational, and makes me think about some things.  As he used words familiar to me, I did recognize that what he was teaching was not exactly what The Bible teaches.  His motivational speech was about connecting with the right people.  That hits home for me.  I do choose who I let into mine and my children's lives.  I don't choose their friends for them, necessarily, but I do choose my own.  I learned many years ago not to let my friends choose me, but rather I need to choose them.  With life being busy, and schedules crowded, I find it hard to see the people who I would most like to spend time with.  Smiley says not to open the door when that person who is always a downer comes around.  He makes it clear that we need to listen to them, and pray with them, but not let them get you down.  Have you ever met somebody who was a total "Debi Downer", and after each visit you feel depressed?!  I don't realize that Debi Downers have crept into my life, until I take a step back and look at the relationship.  I guess what I got out of his message.....was that Debi Downers have to go!  If I'm the Debi Downer in a relationship, then I have some changing to do myself!!  He also said that some relationships are just toxic.  They are toxic from the very beginning, and will never progress into a loving, uplifting, growing relationship.  A healthy relationship would consist of love, growth independently, with God, and then with each other.  A healthy relationship would make you excited when that friend is at your door, or calls.  I don't really think I have Debi Downers in my life.  I just don't have time for them.  I don't make time for them, and I have no desire to spend my time on this earth on them.  I hope I'm not a Debi Downer, and will look at my relationships to evaluate my fault on how my relationships are going.  So just for you, Debi Downer, I'm closing the door......go away!  I'll pray for you, but can not spend my time on this earth with you.  God has blessed so many of us with these beautiful families, and soooo much to be grateful for.  Time is to short to sit and sulk!  Smile....God loves U!............Joel Osteen is his name. Duh!