” …positive! ” The words to the old Johnny Mercer song, Accentuate the Positive, have rung through the decades since its composition in 1944. World War II had dragged on for years. The world was weary of suffering, deprivation and death. More than anything, people needed hope and a way of getting through what was still to come. (The war would not officially end until 1945. ) From the creative mind of this inspiring composer came the words to a song that would help sooth the spirits. It caught fire and made its way from one recording artist to another. Why? Because it offered a profound truth. If the people were to get through, they needed to control their thinking. (If you don’t know the song, please go to YouTube and treat yourself to this “oldie but goody”.) Let the truth of these simple lyrics guide the way you see your day. Like the war weary of the 1940’s we are weary from the troubles of our time. We will do well to fast from the negative while indulging in the positive. For now, enjoy the words to this encouraging little song:
Accentuate the Positive
You've got to accentuate the positive Eliminate the negative Latch on to the affirmative and Don't mess with Mr. In- Between You've got to spread joy Up to the maximum Bring gloom Down to the minimum Have faith, or pandemonium is Libel to walk upon the scene. To illustrate his last remark Joshua in the whale Noah in the ark What did they do When everything looked so dark? Man, they said, "We better... Accentuate the positive, Eliminate the negative Latch on to the affirmative and Don't mess with Mr. In-Between- No, do not mess with Mr. In-Between. Do you hear me, humm?" *** Finally, brothers and sisters, whatsoever is true, whatsoever is noble, whatsoever is right, whatsoever is lovely, whatsoever is pure, whatsoever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things. Philippians 4:8
Meditations by Still Waters and Other Writings 