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"The only way to be happy, is to give happy."

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Lighten Up and Toughen Up

January 5, 2010

There are two attitudes toward life that I think are paramount for leaders, especially in our modern, pampered times. They are:

1. lighten up

2. toughen up.

There is nothing more off-putting than a person who takes him or her self too seriously. One of my favorite phrases is, "Take everything seriously except yourself." People can easily get a little too"heavy" with the bearing of their burdens. Remember: everyone has problems. Nobody's health is perfect. Nobody's relationships are all perfect. Nobody has it made. You shouldn't be surprised when you don't, either. So lighten up a little bit, and work on your attitude. Become more fun to be around. Look at the bright side of things. Find the silver lining in every storm cloud. Trust me: you will be remembered for how well or poorly you do this. People flock to those who are positive, full of enthusiasm, and large on life. They run from the dour, sour, complaining, serious, "realistic" types. So make your choice to lighten up.

Also, there are few sights more pathetic than a person having a pity party. For the most part, the people walking the earth today have more blessings, better health care, better nutrtition, better shelter, longer life expectancy, more opportunities, easier travel, more time-saving devices, etc., etc. than anybody has ever had before, including kings of the highest power. (This is not to downplay the condition of those who are truly suffering from the absence of even the basic necessities of life. But most people reading this blog are not of that category, but rather, are blessed beyond description). We should realize how relatively easy our lives are, and rejoice in the blessings God has provided. This ought to toughen us through our challenges, give us the proper perspective, and make us stronger. Nobody likes a whimp.

There you have it; two of my favorite admonishments. I will discuss these concepts further in future posts. As you make your way through your day today, ask yourself, "How can I both lighten up and toughen up?"

Posted in LLR Daily Application

6 responses to “Lighten Up and Toughen Up”

Eric and Rachael Gregory

January 6, 2010

Well said, Chris. I sure wish the media would tout such themes and ideas. If they would, changing this country would not be so hard. Perhaps a further definition of a rascal is one who can smile in the rain, toughen up under pressure, and can laugh at their own mistakes. Great thoughts to start the day. Thanks so much.

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Mark T, Team Synergy, Many Hearts, ONE BEAT!

January 6, 2010

AMEN!

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Sandy Upchurch

January 6, 2010

I just read a tweet from someone that said that the only movie involving mediators in the last 10 years cast them in a humorous light and the author was offended by that (Wedding Crashers, by the way) – I tweeted back that I was a mediator and loved that movie and LIGHTEN UP!!
great blog – thanks!

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Joel A Levy

January 7, 2010

Nice reminder of how to be. I just started sending out a silly joke of the week to my list. Your post made me glad I did.

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Cathy – Team Rascals

January 9, 2010

Chris,
You are soooo right!! I try to go through life with 3 attitudes.
The first one is a little humor makes even the worst situations bearable. I remember in the days after our Dad died, one of my younger sisters, one of my sisters-in-law (the one who hates me, in fact) and I took on the task of cleaning our Mom’s refrigerator. It hadn’t been done in months, due to his long final illness. We laughed like loons over some of the UPO’s (Unidentified Putrified Objects) in there, just appreciating the humor, even in our grief.
The second one comes from an advertising slogan from one of my youngest sister’s favorite childhood toys, “Weebles wobbble, but they don’t fall down!” When it comes to tough situations in life, I remind myself I am a “Weeble,” and us “Weeble’s” may wobble, but we don’t fall down! It helps me muster up the inner toughness to get through . . .
My third attitude is be grateful and humble for all I receive. In the movie “A Muppet Christmas Carol” the Cratchit family sings a moving song based on the Tiny Tim character’s saying of “God bless us, everyone.” This humble and poor family sings a song of love and gratitude for all their blessings, and it brings me to tears whenever I hear it. I seek to live like what they sing.

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Darrell W Millner

October 29, 2015

Well said Chris, thank you for the invite.

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