I genuinely believe every person you meet resembles a character in Winnie-the Pooh.

Let’s re-examine these personalities from one of our favorite childhood classics.

Like Pooh, some are soft voiced, cuddly, lovable and quiet. Then there’s the Christopher Robins, cheerful and compassionate. Tigger- happy, full of energy, and outgoing.  Piglet who is kind, gentle and shy.  Kanga, kind hearted,  calm and docile.   Roo, the cheerful, playful and energetic one. Rabbit, friendly, yet impatient and often irritable.   Owl, who is stuffy and believes he is the smartest of all.  And lastly, Eeyore, the pessimistic, glum and sarcastic donkey.

I’m certain, like me, you all daily encounter people displaying a variation of these personalities.  The key is- what are you displaying?  Each person you meet, you have the ability and opportunity to lift up.  It is said, a smile is contagious. Just try it.  Smile at a stranger and challenge them not to return it.  Yes, I’m THAT person you meet on the plane and asked if you are heading home?  How was your trip? Someone is always worse off than you are, and you truly never know what someone is going through.  When unfortunate circumstances occur, and they will, I believe if people stopped thinking why me? and ask why not me? the world would have more compassion.

Last night, I dined at a delicious Seafood restaurant called the Optimist.  The food was as good as the name, and  so I looked up this quote,

“The optimist sees the glass as half full, the pessimist as half empty.  What I see is water that can save someone’s life.”

So today, speak softly like Pooh, be compassionate like Christopher Robin, be happy like Tigger, gentle like Piglet, kind hearted like Kanga, playful like Roo, friendly like Rabbit, smart like Owl, and lift every Eeyore up that comes your way.  Be an optimist, and make it a great day!