Choices!

Someone told me 4 years ago that a key thing to remember in my life is that 'what happens to me isnt as important as how i react to it' (or along those lines). Its not way out there or something new but it is so important! Out of everything that he said those words have stuck with me. its something that i struggle with. I come from a family where its commonplace to worry, fret, and be negative and this is the way i was brought up to think (not blaming anyone tho, just something thats been passed down). Often my immediate reaction is to be negative. Thankfully alot of the time i realise that this is wrong and i try and change my attitude, but often it just comes out. i think it comes out most when something suprises me or when im joking around and teasing people and i can be quite negative. The thing is is that its a CHOICE! i just did cleansing streams bible study at youth and (i packed away my books so ill try and summarise what i remember) it talked about walking in the spirit. Gal 5:25 says 'If we live by the [Holy] Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. [If by the Holy Spirit we have our life in God, let us go forward walking in line, our conduct controlled by the Spirit.]' (amplified). walking in the spirit is a choice that we have to make. Putting aside our desires, our wants, and feelings and instead to be lead by Spirit to obey Gods word and to make a choice to put Him and His desires first. And there is a promise Gal 5:16 'I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh' (NKJV). So what im trying to say is that it is my choice i can be grumpy, worry, selfish or negative or i can make a choice to instead look at things postively and try and see things how God would see them and how He wants me to react...hmm an example which got me thinking this: my mum on sunday asked me if i could mow the lawn but sunday and monday i was busy so i said i would do it today. So today mums like you have to do it today etc etc and immediatley i thought 'why do i have to do it' 'its not fair' 'i dont want to' etc. i didnt say anything but i was really negative about it until i made a choice. i had to mow the lawn i had no choice so i might as well get over it and think positively. and i did and actually really enjoyed it!!:) I got to listen to music and sing really loud cuz no one could hear me over the noise. i enjoy being outside and it was such a nice day, it gave me a chance to do something, i helped out my mum, etc etc. it was just nice...i know this is such a little thing but it reminded me again that i have to be thankful, rejoicing in all things, unselfish etc. it reminded me to judge my thoughts and attitudes and be careful how i react to things.