Garbage In, Garbage Out........

A long time ago, in a different stage of life, I was a computer programmer.  I wasn't very good at it, but I did learn some things that I can apply to different aspects of my life.  One of those things that I learned is "Garbage In, Garbage Out".  In programming (at least when I was doing it in the age of punch cards), this meant that your data was only as good as what was put in the program.  If you didn't set the parameters exactly right, then your data wasn't reliable.  And so it is in life...if you don't set your standards just right, the results will probably not be what you expected or wanted.  If you let garbage in, for example, negative thinking, your life will be negatively affected.  If you set your standards to keep out the garbage, your results may well be better than you had expected.  Sounds easy, doesn't it?  Well, it isn't....this is something that I struggle with on a daily basis.   For me, negative thinking is much easier than positive thinking.  There are three kinds of people:  The glass is half full people, the glass is half empty people, and the thankful there is even a glass people.  I would like to think that most days find me in the latter group but it is an effort.  The effort is worth the result, though, because my life is so much better when I let go of all negative things in my life...even if it's just for a few moments.  Negative people, negative thinking, negative habits, negative attitude....all need to be programmed out in order to get the positive results I want in my life.  It is definitely hard to make those cuts...especially negative people, but it is essential in order to keep a positive attitude of gratitude for the good things.  Envy, jealousy, greed, hatred....all these things are counter-productive to a successful life.  I wrestle with them daily...sometimes even hourly....but I don't want to be a negative thinking person.  It does sometimes appear that negative people get ahead while positive people suffer...but...that is negative thinking, too!  How sneaky it is that it can worm it's way into our mind without our awareness!  Life is a struggle in so many ways.  Learning to be thankful for the glass whether it is half full or half empty is my goal.  Garbage In, Garbage Out.......