"...the impact of looking at life with a positive outlook could ripple outwards, influencing others and creating a supportive environment." So true Gurdeep! Through my teaching career I saw many examples of this phenomenon. After a day-long beautiful event it amazed me that a single negative comment from a parent could turn me sullen. Conversely, if I was feeling defeated by a student, an encouraging word from a colleague renewed my determination. Moral: Our words/attitudes have influence.
SO TRUE!!! I learned this lesson a long time ago when I was about 19 years old I think. Before that I think my outlook was neither positive or negative. I don't remember why I suddenly decided to choose the positive path but I'm glad I did. Attempting to have a positive outlook does not mean that I am ALWAYS positive. Like anyone else I have my down moments when negativity gets the upper hand. Fortunately I usually don't let that go on. I used to run a Bed and Breakfast on our farm and during one breakfast conversation an American guest accused me of being a "Pollyanna". I took that as a compliment. I do prefer to see the glass as half FULL or maybe nearly all FULL rather than empty. I am not a fool. I do have a realistic outlook but I prefer to see the better side of people and circumstances whenever possible. I know people who are trapped in a negative outlook. I feel sorry for them. One person in particular is so negative that he has influenced and infected his wife and sons with this outlook. When I happen to social with him I try my best to turn the conversation to a positive direction but it's just too much hard work. Maybe I was partially influenced by my father. He was an amazing man. I have many memories of experiences I had with him. I remember him teaching me to think of 'problems' as 'challenges' and to this day when I start to write about a 'problem' I correct myself and change that to a 'challenge'. We saw those terrible riots in the UK after those 3 girls were killed in Southport. Then one night on the UK news we saw a BEAUTIFUL demonstration by all the non-violent people who came out to show that their point of view was more powerful. I felt so uplifted by that. I was amazed that so many ordinary people could somehow get organized so quickly to come out en masse to counter the negativity of the rioters. The positivity of the Harris-Walz campaign in the US is so uplifting and hopeful. What a refreshing change from the dreadful hateful negative campaign of the other side. POSITIVITY HAS TO PREVAIL.
Dear Gurdeep, You are SO right!!! My husband is British born but moved to Canada 43 years ago and is a Canadian citizen. We follow the British news intently because we still have family and friends there. We are APPALLED by what is happening there over a TERRIBLE killing and assault done by a very troubled young man, who was BORN IN WALES 18 years ago. The RUMOURS of his nationality have caused this violence. Everyone should be upset about what actually happened to these poor children by a terrible young person with obviously mental illness problems rather than just by THE COLOUR OF HIS SKIN!!!!!! I love your story and wish you only the best for your future!
How we frame our thoughts around life’s difficulties determines how we react to them. I struggle to remember this after a lifetime collection of significant concussions
"A day without laughter is a day wasted" -- Charlie Chaplin. Thanks so much for sharing your thoughtful and meaningful article, Gurdeep! Positivity is needed more nowadays. Take care --Anthony
I think for the longest time I was a bit of both. Thankfully taking myself out or being forced out of certain situations allowed me to see where I was mentally. Things needed to change. I love what I do and it is my passion but it is even more of a passion now that I have realized that I truly have the power to change my response to all things. Even allowing others to make mistakes or being a little envious of others and how that can turn you into a monster. A little goes a long way. My thoughts are change yourself first and then let others see that change in you a act accordingly. It starts at home. I will admit I cannot watch or listen to the news without it weighing heavy on my soul. I just try to remain positive and act positive and the only way I can do that is to put myself out there and be positive. Thanks so much for your thoughts. Much respect.
"...the impact of looking at life with a positive outlook could ripple outwards, influencing others and creating a supportive environment." So true Gurdeep! Through my teaching career I saw many examples of this phenomenon. After a day-long beautiful event it amazed me that a single negative comment from a parent could turn me sullen. Conversely, if I was feeling defeated by a student, an encouraging word from a colleague renewed my determination. Moral: Our words/attitudes have influence.
This moral is great, Mr. Thompson, "Our words/attitudes have influence."
SO TRUE!!! I learned this lesson a long time ago when I was about 19 years old I think. Before that I think my outlook was neither positive or negative. I don't remember why I suddenly decided to choose the positive path but I'm glad I did. Attempting to have a positive outlook does not mean that I am ALWAYS positive. Like anyone else I have my down moments when negativity gets the upper hand. Fortunately I usually don't let that go on. I used to run a Bed and Breakfast on our farm and during one breakfast conversation an American guest accused me of being a "Pollyanna". I took that as a compliment. I do prefer to see the glass as half FULL or maybe nearly all FULL rather than empty. I am not a fool. I do have a realistic outlook but I prefer to see the better side of people and circumstances whenever possible. I know people who are trapped in a negative outlook. I feel sorry for them. One person in particular is so negative that he has influenced and infected his wife and sons with this outlook. When I happen to social with him I try my best to turn the conversation to a positive direction but it's just too much hard work. Maybe I was partially influenced by my father. He was an amazing man. I have many memories of experiences I had with him. I remember him teaching me to think of 'problems' as 'challenges' and to this day when I start to write about a 'problem' I correct myself and change that to a 'challenge'. We saw those terrible riots in the UK after those 3 girls were killed in Southport. Then one night on the UK news we saw a BEAUTIFUL demonstration by all the non-violent people who came out to show that their point of view was more powerful. I felt so uplifted by that. I was amazed that so many ordinary people could somehow get organized so quickly to come out en masse to counter the negativity of the rioters. The positivity of the Harris-Walz campaign in the US is so uplifting and hopeful. What a refreshing change from the dreadful hateful negative campaign of the other side. POSITIVITY HAS TO PREVAIL.
Dear Gurdeep, You are SO right!!! My husband is British born but moved to Canada 43 years ago and is a Canadian citizen. We follow the British news intently because we still have family and friends there. We are APPALLED by what is happening there over a TERRIBLE killing and assault done by a very troubled young man, who was BORN IN WALES 18 years ago. The RUMOURS of his nationality have caused this violence. Everyone should be upset about what actually happened to these poor children by a terrible young person with obviously mental illness problems rather than just by THE COLOUR OF HIS SKIN!!!!!! I love your story and wish you only the best for your future!
How we frame our thoughts around life’s difficulties determines how we react to them. I struggle to remember this after a lifetime collection of significant concussions
The glass is always half full
"A day without laughter is a day wasted" -- Charlie Chaplin. Thanks so much for sharing your thoughtful and meaningful article, Gurdeep! Positivity is needed more nowadays. Take care --Anthony
🙏🏽
Very true! That’s a beautiful message right there. Thank you for sharing! 🙏🏽
Thank you Gurdeep.
My Mom says if you keep facing the sun you wont see your shadow!
Thank you, needed that reminder.🙏💕
I think for the longest time I was a bit of both. Thankfully taking myself out or being forced out of certain situations allowed me to see where I was mentally. Things needed to change. I love what I do and it is my passion but it is even more of a passion now that I have realized that I truly have the power to change my response to all things. Even allowing others to make mistakes or being a little envious of others and how that can turn you into a monster. A little goes a long way. My thoughts are change yourself first and then let others see that change in you a act accordingly. It starts at home. I will admit I cannot watch or listen to the news without it weighing heavy on my soul. I just try to remain positive and act positive and the only way I can do that is to put myself out there and be positive. Thanks so much for your thoughts. Much respect.
I needed this today! Thank you. 🥰