One of the coolest things I have noticed about the holidays over recent years that is actually very powerful is the great amount of goodwill expressed towards one another.  It happens at work, at school, in the stores, and everywhere we go.  With my gutter and window business this past week we have had so many customers wishing us a happy Thanksgiving.  They tell us in person, write in on notes, write it on the checks.  As I notice this, it seems as though peace and love is in the air and it is incredible to see.  I hear it everywhere I go, people expressing and wishing for the best for one another, and I can tell that they really mean it.  I love it, and I think to myself, this is what I am pushing for everyday to be like, people truly wanting the best for one another and taking an extra moment to make sure that other people know that this is what they want for them.  This is what being a Positive Ambassador is all about.

Note:  I could end this post and let it stand where it is but I feel like I have to mention a very important fact.  Spreading peace and love is wonderful and helps to make this world a better place, but in addition to this as we move into the world with this holiday spirit, we not only make the world a better place, we make our world a better place.  We feel better and we see more positive things happening in our world on account of our way of being.  I know you already knew this, but still, How cool is that?

The boy was probably about ten or eleven.  He was in group of kids that were just ahead of us.  We saw him and his friends several times and they were always nice.  Some times they would tell us which houses to go to.  At one point the young fellow says “Hey that last house over there is giving out candy. Go over there.”  I thanked him and Jordan and I  headed over there.  All the houses that were giving out candy had orange signs welcoming trick or treaters but this one did not have one.  I asked our friend “How do you know this house has treats there is no sign.”  He said “I live here.”  He then ran to the house and said “wait here.”  I stood back at the drive way reluctantly and his mother came to the door and looked confused.  Then our friend ran in and appeared to go behind the door and take some candy out of his bag.  He pretended it was not from his stash and gave it to Jordan.  We thanked him and I said to myself “That is some kid.”

At this occasion we were celebrating the life of Mrs. Henry.  Mrs. Henry was the mother of a very good family that is like family to me.  Mrs. Henry, Mr. Henry and my teacher Mr. Ambrister all studied meditation with their teacher Dr. Thind.  Mrs.  Henry was always smiling and upbeat and kind, and I considered it an honor during the times that she and Mr. Henry would come to some of my meditation classes.

At the celebration of life, there were many nice things said about Mrs Henry as I expected.  She was such a sweet and regal person, with an incredible calming mother presence.  But there was one statement about Mrs. Henry that truly got me and served as a lesson to remember.  At one point her brother said he asked her, “What is it that you love about Henry?  Why are you with Henry?”  People were in the background quietly laughing and saying “Oh my goodness”.  Mr. Henry is a great man, and you would have to know him and the background to understand the question.    But the answer was astonishing.  He said “my sister said” “Well, he works, he goes to work everyday.  He signs and brings home the check.  And He comes home every evening.”  This truly blew my mind.  She did not say I love him but he won’t take out the garbage on time or I wish he would do this or that.  She mentioned three simple things, all positive.  These simple things are things that many men may not do.  Some work but don’t bring home the check.  Some don’t come home every night.  The point is she focused on the positive.  Anyone can find things to complain about and when you do, things to complain about seem to show up everywhere.  But can you simply within whatever situation you are in, keep your mind on the good.  If you do, things to feel good about will seem to show up everywhere you go.

My friend Charles told me that he asked for help and it came right away, magically.  As I said I could not stop thinking about this.  Part of the reason why was that he told me he got this whole talking to God and the Universe thing from me.  I have done it many times.  I put a question out there and wait for the answer to magically come.  It can come from anywhere or anyone, and it does.  When it does it almost always catches me off guard giving me the exact information I need coming from the radio, someone in front of me in line, someone one angry at me, literally anywhere.  And when the demonstration catches me off guard surprising me, I am reminded that we are all connected in this magical universe. I am connected with everything everyone and all the answers I need, and yes ultimately God, however you imagine God to be.  But here’s the thing.  I had a challenge in my world going on at the time that I knew I needed to apply this process to and had not done so.  To make things more interesting while I was at this dinner having the conversation about my friend’s magical demonstration from God, another fellow meditation student, Lisa, came over to introduce her friend.  She introduced me as the young teacher, our teacher Mr. Ambrister was the old teacher.  She then began to tell her friend “this is the one I told you about in all those stories who had all those incredible experiences.”  She even had titles for each story.  “Remember the rain story, and the one about the light switch.”  I was a little embarrassed, but I was also reminded of how many incredible experiences I have had and how many times people have told me the stories helped them to have similar experiences.  I found myself thinking again I have had so many incredible experiences.  I am much bigger than any problem I have.  I have to get back on track.”

Later this week I woke up early one morning debating on going back to bed or taking this time for early meditation, reflecting and blogging.   I thought about my friends Charles and Lisa and how I needed to get back on track.  I decided to take my time for early positivity etc.  I meditated.  Right in the midst of the meditation I got my answer I had been looking for.  I also got some blogging done and felt totally refreshed.  What really got me was, I felt like a new person with my new answer to the problem that had been dogging me, and it seemed to come so easily.  As I thought about it.  It was very clear that my conversation with Charles and Lisa introducing me to her friend in such a wonderful way reminded me  of my more positive incredible side.  Since then I have been back in my place seeing more of the wonder of The Universe and the positive in and around me.

My point with this post is we need to surround ourselves with positive people who see and acknowledge our positivity as much as possible.

George W. Swan III, Ed.D. Just arrived in New Mexico for a site visit. It is marvelous how people can bond when you are gathered together by weather, equipment delays and miscommunication. It wound up being an exciting 14 hours spent in airports with new found friends between Detroit, Dallas and Albuquerque. Has anyone else such an experience to share?