Pay it forward positivity

POSITIVITY is a frame of mind. There are people who are cheery and optimistic by nature, while there are those who immediately resort to cynicism in a situation. I’ve always believed that happiness is a choice, so optimism is a choice as well. How does one see the glass half-full?

Some folks are innately cheery. Like they were born smiling, with sunshine streaming out of their body. You can sense this about them. It’s not an energy that they get through pills or sports drinks. It’s a naturally peaceful and positive vibe.

There are also those who have learned from experience. Stress may have gotten to them and they realized that maybe they do need to take it easy. Perhaps there’s more to life than cramped schedules and being tired all the time. And so they change the way they see their everyday. They begin to find joy in small things, share more of their selves and slowly find their way to their own happy nest.

I am immensely thankful to both the innately positivity person, and the one who learns it along the way. These are the people I enjoy being with. They are the people who share my belief that positivity is not a denial of negativity, but of understanding it and doing something about it.

They can be random strangers, like the lad who gives up his seat on the train for an elder. They can be celebrities, like Oprah and her “Living the Best Life” magazine column. They can be teachers, like Randy Pausch and his last lecture. They can be family, like your mother and her sound advice. They can be friends, like the one who laughs with you and makes you feel the world isn’t so bad.

Think of three people who’ve made you see the sunshine in everyday. Write them a note and thank them. Let them know how their positivity has influenced you. Then, think of three people you’d want to bring sunshine to. Write them a note and give them a little picker-upper.

Positivity is essentially a pay-it-forward activity. It is meant to be shared. So go spread the happy love your way. It’ll come back full circle. You’ll also be doing your part in somehow bringing about a little world peace. Positivity for world peace. That doesn’t sound too bad at all.

Now go thank those three people and spread happiness to three more.

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