The Super Positive

 On Monday, I wrote about The Complainer. Today, I want to write about her opposite: The Super Positive.

 

The Super Positive was a woman named Elizabeth who wore a perpetual smile on her face and saw each opportunity and morsel of food as something wonderful.

 

We first met Elizabeth at lunch in Olympia, Greece. She and her husband, Art, sat at our table for a meal that lasted no shorter than two hours. That day, each time she tried a new bite of food, she made the “This is so delicious” facial expression and truly savored the moment for what it was.

 

After that, we saw Elizabeth and Art on a few occasions. Each time, they were so very pleasant to encounter—picking on one other and laughing, seeing the world with wide-open eyes. And each time, Elizabeth had something positive to say:

 

“Did you try the Chinese meatballs at breakfast? They are so good.”

 

“I can’t wait to go into town tonight. I want to say that I’ve experienced European night life!”

 

“I just had my first facial. It was delightful. If you’ve never had one, you need to get one. Our faces are the first things people see!”

 

I never a heard a negative word come out of Elizabeth’s mouth.

 

On the morning I went to Postojna Cave in Koper, Slovenia, I ran into Elizabeth and Art in a little café outside the entrance. As soon as Elizabeth saw me, she said, “If I buy a pastry, would you care to half it with me?” “Sure,” I said. The pastries really did look good.

 

When we sat down to eat, Elizabeth, once again, made the “This is so delicious” facial expression and truly savored the moment for what it was.

 

Shortly after we ate, Elizabeth was trying to take a selfie and wasn’t paying attention to her footing, so she stepped backwards down two stairs. She grabbed Art for support and he kept her from falling and hitting her head. She was so very grateful that he had caught her and that she had avoided a trip to the hospital instead of a trip to the cave. She didn’t complain about falling. She simply rejoiced that it had not ended in catastrophe.

 

As we walked into the cave, I captured this image of Elizabeth and Art holding hands. This is the image that I will remember of the Super Positive.

 

The Complainer taught me to mind my words and actions lest they bring others down. The Super Positive taught me to allow my words and actions to bring others up.

 

Dear God: Help me follow The Super Positive’s example and let my words and actions be for good. Amen.