Positive Talk
SOME THOUGHTS ON A HAPPIER LIFE
By
Jul 10, 2008 - 9:38:17 AM

From time to time, it’s beneficial to think about whether our lives could be happier. When you do, you’ll probably find that most of the things that would add to your life are not new and startling discoveries, but rather things you already know and are not doing. Here are some things I’ve discovered.

• If you are going to do something anyway, do it cheerfully. I watched a clerk in a store give a lady a ­refund and grumble all the time she was doing it. She complained that the woman had not brought her receipt and had waited a long time to return the goods. This clerk was clearly embarrassing the patron. Now, that store’s policy is to refund the money with or without a receipt. The purpose of the policy is to build customer comfort and satisfaction. The clerk did neither. When you decide to give in, do it cheerfully and you may get the points that the clerk missed.

• Do not be the carrier of tales. I have a friend who prides himself on always knowing the dirt on ­others. He can be counted on to tell the most lurid stories. I find that I am compelled to cross to the other side of the street when I see him coming for two reasons. The first is that I have found that much of what he tells me is not true and, if it is true, it is distorted. The second is that I have a firm belief that the personal life of others is none of my business. If you do not want people peeking into your windows, stay away from theirs.

• When you are wrong, be big enough to admit it. They say that pride goes before a fall, but I can point out that pride can be a mighty wall standing in the way of an apology. If you have wronged someone, seek them out and say, “I am sorry.” Even if the apology is not readily accepted, the healing process will have begun.

• Say something nice to someone today. One of the things that the great Dale Carnegie taught was to say something nice to everyone you meet. He said that if we trained ourselves to be observant, we could find something nice to say about anyone. I think he is right, and I have tried with some success to follow his principle. It does two things for me. It causes me to look for the good in everyone, and then by saying it to them, I brighten their day and their smile brightens mine.

• Learn to take a compliment with a simple “thank you” and a smile. It is amazing how few people can graciously accept a compliment. When people take the time to tell you something nice about yourself, do not insult their taste with a reply like, “This old thing?” or “I really can’t cook.” They liked whatever they complimented and all you need to say is “thank you.”

• Guard your friendships more diligently than you do your gold, for friendships are the true gold of life. Take the time to be a good friend. Good friends stay in touch. Something as simple as a Christmas note each year can keep a friendship alive. Remember, it is sad to lose a friend by death, but it is sadder still to lose a friend ­because we failed to walk across the street. Invest in friendship and it will pay huge dividends.

I suppose that none of these are earth-shattering philosophies, but I can guarantee that if you put each of them to use, you will live a ­happier, healthier and more productive life. People will look forward to your company, and no one will cross to the other side of the street when they see you coming.

Hodges Hosts Television Program
Bill Hodges also hosts an interview-format television program, which has been renamed “Spotlight On Tampa Bay.” It airs Mondays at 8 p.m., Bright House cable channel 950 and Verizon cable channel 30. His guests for July 21 will be State Attorney for Hillsborough’s 13th judicial district, Mark Ober, who will give us a glimpse into the workings of the State Attorney’s office. This program will be repeated on Wednesday, July 23, at 7:30 p.m. on Bright House channel 949.
Appearing on Monday, July 14 and 28, is State Representative Betty Reed. Representative Reed, a Democrat, will give us an insight into the happenings during the last session of the Florida State Legislature from a minority party viewpoint. The program will be ­repeated on Wednesday, July 16 and July 30, at 7:30 p.m. on Bright House channel 949.
It should be noted that Bright House subscribers who cannot get the higher channels can get—at no installation fee and a monthly one dollar fee—a box to allow access to the upper level government and educational channels. Call Bright House for details on the rental. If you are unhappy about having to pay extra to see your government in action, complain to your state representatives and the Hillsborough BOCC which have either caused this situation or been complicit in allowing it to continue.






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