This title is from a song by the same name. It was recorded by Bing
Crosby and the Andrews Sisters in 1944. The opening lyrics are:
You’ve got to accentuate the positive
Eliminate the negative
Latch on to the affirmative
Don’t mess with Mister In-Between
A good message for that time of
World War II-likewise, this is a theme we could all embrace in our
dealings with each other. In a time when we have such staggering
material abundance, we find ourselves woefully in need of satisfying,
productive and lasting human relationships. One key for improvement is
found in HOW we approach our various relationships-whether family,
friend, neighbor, co-worker and, yes, even strangers.
In the
Bible, in Philippians 4:8, note the approach that Christians are taught
to have: “Finally, brethren, whatever things are TRUE, whatever things
are NOBLE, whatever things are JUST, whatever things are PURE, whatever
things are LOVELY, whatever things are OF GOOD REPORT, if there is ANY
VIRTUE and if there is ANYTHING PRAISEWORTHY-MEDITATE ON THESE THINGS.”
This teaching will become more than lofty platitudes IF we put it to practice!
For
example, a coach may watch a youngster shoot a basketball time after
time and miss. But when he makes the shot, he reinforces it with a
short compliment, a nod or smile. That positive, correct action is the
building block for making more shots. Life is not so different. We all
need to watch for opportunities to find the good in our dealings with
others.
All of us need positive examples to look to. Those who
follow Christ have that kind of example-and that without parallel! We
also need positive feedback. This is a responsibility we can fulfill
with each other by adopting an approach filled with the positive.
Too
much of the substance of our lives in this generation is fueled by what
is wrong. It is rather easy to get swept along with this pattern of
behavior-even for those who now know better!
Let’s all take
inventory of our relationships, and let each of us, individually, work
on how we relate to everyone – it’s not so hard, just “accentuate the
positive!”
