Think happy thoughts
Its Sunday morning and the sun is out. I have my double non-fat vanilla latte, the Sunday paper, and my laptop at my disposal. Life is good.
As I used to say, "I wonder what the poor people are doing?". I say this not out of superiority or condescension but from my own dark humor. I say this to reflect on what I have and how I am fortunate to have what I have. I often "count my blessings" as my mom would say. It's easier to put it in check if I can joke about it.
Couple of things that I thought about this weekend as I reflected on my twisted world...
1. A lot of the chaos could dissipate if we all just think happy thoughts. Rather than think the worst of staff, management, friends, life why not think positively? I know it's easier to think negatively about something and it sometimes makes you feel better but wouldn't or couldn't you change your surroundings and mood if you just thought that life really isn't that bad, things aren't really that serious, and the world is not going to end just because of a bad day or event that happened to you at work?
2. Practice random acts of kindness. Start off simple. Maybe a "thank you" and a "please". Maybe opening the door for someone or helping out a coworker ---even though you know it isn't your job duty! Brighten up someone elses day and make your workplace that much shinier and happy.
3. Dance as if nobody is watching. Okay that is bit far fetched ....what about doing somethinng without asking especially if it means making things easier for someone or the group. Kinda like practicing random acts of kindness but the key to this is doing it WITHOUT acknowledgement or self-interest.
4. Smile. Laugh. Enjoy life's little pleasures. We spend most of our life at work. Why make it miserable, unbearable or stressful?
I think these four are easy to digest (at least for today)....afterall, it is Sunday.
posted by Just another guy trying to rule the world... at 9:54 AM
2 Comments:
I think this is a great concept except that in the public sector many things happen that cause us to be cynical. I for one have always had a positive attitude and thought highly of people even if I didnt necessarily agree with their thinking or management style. I am treated like I'm behind the 8-ball for thinking this way way and trying to get others to think positive as well. Good schools of thought and management teach us that the most powerful resource we have is our people and we must cultivate their growth to achieve the utmost in their potential. In the public sector, the opposite seems to be the standard, by that I mean that the mental attitude is negative, people so complacent in their positions that productivity is minimal. Changing a way of thinking is the most difficult thing to overcome before we even get to the positive mental attitude. I think there are ways to overcome these hurdles, through trust, sensitivity, expressing the mission, getting clarity and then through quality feedback we begin to transform negativity into something more positive. But keeping happy thoughts along the way very difficult.
9:49 AM
Are you in my brain and stealing my thoughts?
I hate to tell you this but that also happens in the private sector too. Money, incentives, and possible loss of job can make you think and act differently or unethically.
Keeping happy thoughts is easy. Showing happy thoughts is a totally different animal.
6:39 PM
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