Think positive

"Ac-cent-Tchu- Ate-The-Positive - Eliminate The Negative" is a popular song which was published in 1944, with lyrics written by Johnny Mercer. It was nominated for the "Academy Award for Best Original Song" at the 18th Academy Awards in 1945 after being used in the movie "Here Come The Waves."

The song with the meaningful title has been recorded by many popular singers including Perry Como, Sam Cooke, Bing Crosby, Connie Francis, Aretha Franklin, Barry Manilow, Paul McCartney, Johnny Mercer, and Dinah Washington. Johnny Mercer recorded the song two months before Bing Crosby did; both songs peaked at #2 on the charts. Mercer's version remained on the charts for thirteen weeks compared to Crosby's nine.

With all the problems we have today worldwide including the coronavirus pandemic maybe it's time to pay more attention to the words of that song. Negativity gets us nowhere.

A positive attitude will lead to positive results.

Always look up when things get you down.

Choose to be optimistic, it feels better.

Even if you stumble you're still moving forward.

Everyday brings a choice: practice stress or practice peace.

Pessimism leads to weakness, optimism to power.

Positive thinking must be followed by positive doing.

Positive thoughts breed positive results, think positive.

Push yourself, no one is going to do it for you.

The only person you should try to be better than is the person you were yesterday.

Today only happens once, make it amazing.

Tough times don't last, tough people do.

When you think you've reached the end of your rope, tie a knot in it and hang on.

You are what you think, you can't change anything if you don't change your thinking.

You cannot have a positive life with a negative mind.

Positive thinking is certainly not a new thought, it has been on people's minds for many years. Dr. Norman Vincent Peale wrote about that subject back in 1952. His inspirational book "The Power of Positive Thinking" has over five million copies in print, it is still one of the best sources available to give people the initiative needed to carry out their ambitions and hopes.

With God in your life and a positive attitude you can change your life for the better. The time to do it is now, remember the longest journey begins with a single step.

One of Bing Crosby's most popular songs was one he first recorded on December 8, 1944 titled "AC-Cent- Tchu- Ate The Positive, Eliminate The Negative," we would all be better off if we would adopt that philosophy. I know nothing is ever perfect and we need to remember that, however there seems to be more negativity now in the world than ever before. Let's just all try to focus more on the positives than the negatives, it sure can't hurt anything and I think it might help.

In 1982 my dad wrote a family history book titled "Those Who Came Before Us." He did lots of research for that book and I'm sure glad he did. I'm very proud to have that book, in fact I wrote one of my columns about it. It turns out that a direct descendant of ours was William Brewster. He was one of the 102 people who came to America on the Mayflower in 1620, my dad traveled to England and Scotland doing his research and confirming all his facts. A year or two ago I bought a book written by Bing Crosby's son Nathaniel; it mentions in the book that Bing was related to William Brewster. My dad would've enjoyed knowing that because he was a big fan of Bings for many years. If we go back far enough we're all related, however I'm glad that I can also claim some direct kinship to "Cousin Bing."

This is the Christmas Season. Just that phrase reminds me of the time I was in a Christian book store many years ago. I had made a purchase and the saleslady put my purchase in a sack with the phrase "Jesus is the reason for the season" printed on the bag. I commented that if we think about it that Jesus is the reason for any and every season. She commented that was exactly right, but too many people tend to forget that. Anytime and especially at Christmas we need to remember the true meaning of Christmas. It's much more than just Christmas sales and getting presents.

If you have any comments or questions my e-mail address is deh63shs@yahoo.com.

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A previous column was about the State Fair of Texas, it continues through October 17. Some readers have asked about the clothing sizes of Big Tex's outfit, it's hard to even imagine clothes that big until you see them in person. Big Tex's shirt is size 200" x 325," his jeans are 434" x 240", the cowboy boots are size 96, and topping that all off is a 95 gallon Stetson cowboy hat. The jeans by themselves weigh 100 pounds and it takes 100 yards of fabric to make them, the shirt weighs 130 pounds. Because of Big Tex having to stand outside in the elements for four weeks every year, his clothes have to be replaced every three years. A little known fact is that before he was purchased by the City of Dallas he was a giant Santa Claus in Kerens, Texas. In 1962 Big Tex co-starred with Pat Boone and Ann Margaret in the locally shot remake of the "State Fair" movie.