Pollyanna-

Playing the “Glad Game” is the playful practice of ALWAYS looking for the best in each and every situation, seeing the silver lining in every cloud, the opportunity in every problem, the learning in difficulty, the mountain top beyond every valley. An optimistic, sunny disposition does not magically solve life’s issues but it does make solving them a more pleasant experience. Study after study shows that optimists (“Learned Optimism”) succeed more often than pessimists, generally because they try longer, harder, and more often! 

Personally, I practice what I call “Realistic Optimism”. I’m not going to practice denial or engage in blind or naïve optimism, I am going to assess the situation rationally and determine reality to the best of my Mr. Spock logical mind. Then I’m switching hats, putting on my enthusiastic, can-do All American optimist and walking, no skipping, happily down the sunny side of the street toward success.

Want to be happy all the days of your life? Live long and prosper? 

– Count your Blessings every morn and eve
– Throw your shoulders back, head up  
– Smile, smile, smile 
– Develop a deeply anchored “Attitude of Gratitude” and the “Habit of Happiness”
– Make it a point to play the “Glad Game” every day, all day!

“What men and women need is encouragement.
Instead of always harping on a man’s faults, tell him of his virtues.
Hold up to him his better self, his REAL self that can dare and do and win out!
The influence of a beautiful, helpful, hopeful character is contagious….
People radiate what is in their minds and in their hearts.
 If a man feels kindly and obliging, his neighbors will feel that way, too, before long.
 But if he scolds and scowls and criticizes—his neighbors will return scowl for scowl, and add interest!…
 When you look for the bad, expecting it, you will get it.
When you know you will find the good—you will get that…”
– Quote from “Pollyanna” by Eleanor H. Porter

As always, I share what I most want/need to learn. – Nathan S. Collier