# 11 Positivity

Positivity

My father used to have a picture of a Basset Hound (the saddest looking dog in the world) hanging in his office with the caption “Act enthusiastic and you’ll be enthusiastic.”  I’ve written before that Dad was the consummate positive thinker and I have benefited greatly from his example.

Acting positively isn’t a game or a trick.  It really works.  While I am not suggesting that you discount reality, I am suggesting that when we approach life with a positive attitude things generally work out better.  Be a “glass is half full” kind or person and be a positive force to those around you. 

# 10 Perseverance

Perseverance

What are your core principles?  One of mine is to never give up.  I am grateful that perseverance is somehow resident deep in my soul.  Winston Churchill had it too.  Remember the famous line in his speech where he said “never, never, never give up”?

When we, like Churchill, are experiencing overwhelming attack or bad odds we must keep our face square into the wind and press on.  Showing persistence will also encourage those who look to us.  Seeing our example, they are likely to mimic our perseverance and display this character quality to those they interact with.  

# 9 Truth

Truth

I remember the first time I experienced injustice.  It was when the grumpy old man at the end of my boyhood street accused me of throwing a rock at his house.  It seems that a few of the neighbor kids has committed the heinous act and conspired to blame it on me.  When he accused me I felt indignation such as I had never experienced.  I had received injustice!

Superman was known for his mantra “truth, justice and the American way.”  Let’s be “super people” and known as a lovers of truth and justice and let’s demonstrate that to those near us.  We also should be known as people who give others the benefit of the doubt because sometimes we don’t know or can’t get all the facts. 

# 8 Let go

Let go

Think about the most unpleasant relationship you have ever had.  Maybe it was a coworker, former spouse, or a rebellious child.  Did you ever catch yourself keeping a mental count of all the times they had hurt or disappointed you?  I have found that there is great virtue in not counting but instead letting go.

Think about it.  What besides an ulcer do you gain from keeping track of all that bad stuff?  Maybe a migraine headache?  Most bad things others do to us, from something stupid to something deliberate and calculated, are best handled when we let go.