In my post on quotes, I shared that my mother kept of notebook of quotes, poems, and notes.  One of those poems was “The Right Kind of People” by Edwin Markham. 

The Right Kind of People

Gone the city, gone the day,

Yet still the story and the meaning stay:

Once where a prophet in the palm shade based,

A traveler chanced at noon to rest his mules.

“What sort of people may they be,” he asked,

“in this proud city on the plains o’erspread?”

“Well, friend, what sort of people whence you came?”

“What sort?” the packman scowled; “why, knaves and fools!”

“You’ll find the people here the same,” the wise man said.

Another stranger in the dusk drew near,

And pausing, cried, “What sort of people here

in your bright city where yon towers arise?”

“Well, friend, what sort of people whence you came?”

“What sort?” the pilgrim smiled, “Good, true, and wise.”

“You’ll find the people here the same,” the wise man said.

Expectations

This poem is an eloquent reminder that we find what we seek.  If our expectation or outlook is negative, that result will follow.  If we expect to find the positive in a situation or in others, that’s what we will find.

Walk Behind or Run Ahead

When my daughter was a child, if my wife, daughter, and I took a walk, it felts like torture for my daughter and she often lagged behind us as though some invisible force was pulling her backwards.  However, if she had friends with her, she bounded and skipped like a doe dancing in the meadow.  I told her many times that the choice to walk behind or run ahead is a mindset – you make the choice every day.

Choose to be Happy

Not too long ago I had the opportunity to attend a conference as a Disney resort.  Each morning, as attendees entered the conference area, we were greeted by a gentleman wearing over-sized Mickey Mouse gloves.  This man was happy and welcomed everyone with a friendly greeting.  I told him, “I appreciate you being so welcoming and cheerful in the mornings.”  His reply?  “You have a choice each morning to be happy.  I choose to be happy.”