Short Stories From 10 Years Ago – September 9, 2004

Short Stories From 10 Years Ago – September 9, 2004

A Shot Of “Positive”

Short Stories From 10 Years Ago – September 9, 2004 – I had to get up this morning at six-thirty. “So what”? – you may well say. Lots of people have to get up even earlier. This is true – except I’m a night person and I don’t function well in the morning – there’s something gratifying about getting my eyes to stay open and my head to sit erect – squarely located over my body, not lolling off to one side.

In spite of the ungodly hour, I persevered and arrived at a real estate sales seminar on time – dare I say even a bit early. A big pat on the back for me. This was a two hour talk by a real estate coach on balancing one’s business and personal life, making more money, working fewer hours, managing time well, being superbly organized and having everyone but the Dali Lama refer his friends to you. Great concept.

Usually these seminars are a bit too “rah-rah” for me with lots of fist waving, motto chanting, smiling like a nitwit at your seat mate who is a total stranger, and bonding with the fearless leader – who will teach you to be just like him for $5000.00. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised.

We were out on time and I came away with a few nuggets of information that I can incorporate into my daily routine and my marketing materials. The coach had an engaging presentation style, good materials and the right amount of humour. I attended with some pals of mine from the office and left feeling upbeat and “positive”.

I went out for lunch with Big and Sima and we chatted about the course leader and the concepts he was extolling. I’ve already written about complaining and how it’s second nature for many, if not most, people. The tendency to belabour the negative and ignore the positive is right up there with complaining, and I thought about my own reactions to countless situations in life, if not life in general. “The glass is half empty” syndrome is easy. Why is that? I wonder if I’m missing the positive gene? Or maybe it’s entire chromosome or a helix of DNA. I’m working on this. God isn’t finished with me yet and I know he’s hoping I’ll come around of my own accord by birthday #60!

So until I have a Pollyanna transplant or a massive injection of peachy-keen serum, these are a few daily reminders to rev up the positive mental attitude. You don’t need a self-help book or a manual, just think about these, when you’re in the midst of a monumental attack of self-indulgent “negativity”:

If you have your health – you have all.

Take the best out of each day and dwell on it.

Make a list of everything that is great in your life – read it often.

Nip “whining” in the bud. In extreme cases tape your mouth shut.

Do this – day after day – after day. You will change – for sure!