I go out of my way just to see her!  She is a teacher at a small private school near our house.  She is also the designated crossing guard several mornings every week.  Regardless of the weather . . . regardless of the traffic or the prevailing mood of the children... she approaches this extra duty with enthusiasm and joy.  Every child is greeted by name while every driver receives a smile and a wave.

Other staff members are not as gracious about assuming this extra duty.  They hurry children across the street with very little interaction or encouragement.  Drivers are sometimes left setting at the crosswalk for no apparent reason except that the crossing guard chooses not to move toward the sidewalk.

What I have noticed is that even when it is rainy or cold, when the first teacher is on duty the entire atmosphere is up beat and cheerful.  The behavioral problems tend to be minor infractions such as running in place of walking while the drivers never seem to be irritated by the slight delays caused by an occasional hug or high-five. 

It is a much different story when the other crossing guards are one duty.  The children tend to be more cantankerous and argumentative while the drivers are more than ready to display their displeasure!

In Proverbs 17:22 we are told:  A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a downcast spirit dries up the bones.  Like the first teacher, we can choose to be joyful and receptive to others despite the task we must perform or the circumstances that surround us.  And while it is often easier to be negative than positive, the results we get mirror more often than not mirror our own attitude. 

So, the next time those around you seem to be demanding and hard to please; when everyone is complaining and no one is happy why not take a look at your attitude?  Maybe all that is needed to turn the situation around is a change of attitude.  After all, a cheerful heart is good medicine!