I play this little game while I’m driving. When I see someone speeding, cutting off other cars, or passing on the shoulder, I think, “Poor guy. He’s probably rushing to the hospital to welcome his first child. He needs to get there, and this traffic jam is just getting in his way.” My kids will often shake their heads and say that’s not what’s happening. That guy is just inconsiderate or a bad driver. This is just one small way I practice optimism. You can look at what’s happening to you in so many different ways; if you choose negativity, that’s the energy you’ll find. If you choose to see the best in people and view the world positively, even when it’s hard, you might be surprised how much lighter you feel. Sure, that driver could just be reckless, but empathizing with him and imagining a positive reason behind his actions keeps me from stewing in frustration. March is Optimism Month, and it doesn’t take much to start living with a more positive mindset. Optimism isn’t about escaping reality, and yes, toxic positivity is a thing, but it’s really about focusing only on the good and expecting only success. When you have a task ahead of you, imagine it will go well, and you significantly increase your likelihood of success. The same is true in relationships, goals, or how you talk to yourself. It’s easy to create a self-fulfilling prophecy when you predict the worst, often leading you into the downward spiral you were worried about. Optimists don’t avoid challenges or pretend everything is okay when it’s not; they just focus on finding solutions and keeping their energy up. If something goes wrong at work or home, think about the exciting opportunity to learn or do something more efficiently instead of dwelling on what’s broken. By reframing difficulties as chances for growth, you open yourself up to better, more long- lasting outcomes. This March, I encourage you to take small steps toward optimism, like starting a gratitude journal, finding the silver lining in disappointments, or just being a little kinder to yourself. Optimism is one of the ultimate keys to success. FUEL YOUR SUCCESS WITH POSITIVITY The Optimist’s Guide to Turning Challenges Into Opportunities
From Pirate to Pope THE SALACIOUS STORY OF BALDASSARRE COSSA History is littered with unsavory souls forever scorned for their foul deeds. Still, few scoundrels reached the depths of depravity with greater aplomb than notorious pirate Baldassarre Cossa (circa 1370–1419) — the man otherwise known as Pope John XXIII. A corrupt criminal whose actions would make Don Corleone blush, Cossa and his brothers built a lucrative business the old- fashioned way — by robbing and pillaging. Although his siblings were executed for their crimes, he survived long enough to pursue a new career in religion. Unfortunately, a desire for power rather than holy redemption prompted his turn to God. An opportunist and conman, Cossa lied, betrayed, and manipulated his way to prominence in the Catholic Church, eventually reigning as Pope John XXIII from 1410 to 1415. Not surprisingly, controversy marked his time as a living symbol of God’s grace. For one thing, it occurred during the Western Schism, a fractious era in Catholic history when two other men claimed the role of pope and refused to resign. The strife caused by this confusion over papal authority was matched only by Cossa’s fleshly indulgences. He is said to have bedded hundreds of women — including nuns — during his contested reign. Cossa’s one-man sinning spree eventually landed him in prison, yet, remarkably, he was named Cardinal-Bishop of Tusculum shortly after his release! Much to the relief of devoted Catholics the world over — and, presumably, a fair portion of Italy’s female population — he died shortly after assuming the new role, leaving religious scholars and historians to forever marvel at how much this man of nonexistent morality had achieved in life. Considering Cossa’s infamy, it is no surprise that he is now known mainly as “Antipope” John XXIII. The name “Pope John XXIII” was retired for centuries before a man better suited to hold the moniker chose it and ran the Catholic Church from 1958–1963.
– Michael Packard
2 PACKARDFIRM.COM
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator