Michael Case

I asked Ron (editor and founder of GPNow) if he could use a good columnist? He answered with a very inquisitive squint of his all-seeing eye, “Sure, know of anyone?” So, I asked if a simple column filled with local business, political, commercial and industrial newsey tidbits, innuendo, gossip, etc, would suffice? He liked the idea and stressed an upbeat positive slant to the news du jour. “Positive thinking,” he beamed, is the way. Positive thinking got me to, well…. thinking, positive.

Dale Carnegie still sells a book or two plus CD’s on getting ahead in life. Remember, Dr. Norman Vincent Peale and the Power of Positive Thinking? Of late, it’s Joel Osteen among others, giving us a religious twist. We each have a thought or two about P.T. Carolline MaGill of New Jersey has a great approach, “When the outlook is poor, try the uplook”. And, Hoosier Linda Smith said it best with, “A smile adds a great deal to face value.” And, lest we forget, “Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!”. He wasn’t concerned about receiving a direct hit. Is the glass half full, or, etc, etc.

Ever stop to think negative? No movers have, I’m sure. Hugh Downs, veteran radio/TV personality and newsman of a few years back looked at it this way, “To say, my fate is not tied to your fate, is like saying, your end of the boat is sinking.” And, consider the wisdom of baseball great, Yogi Berra, “I’ve always felt real blessed, especially to live in this country. If you dream hard and work hard, anything can happen here…I’m perfect proof.”

I guess some of us are satisfied with the status quo and just can’t perceive anything beyond? As Nicole LaBeach , Life Coach and Associate Director of the Faithful Central Bible Church Counseling Center in Los Angeles says, “Many of us fear failure to the point of being willing to settle for one of the truest forms of failure…not trying at all.” I remember as a young man, Henry J. Kaiser attempting to build affordable homes in Hawaii. They told him it was next to impossible on a mass scale. He started Hawaii Kai, subdivision. It wasn’t as affordable as he wanted, but he did manage to do it. And, if you were around during WW II, or a history buff, they asked Kaiser if he could build a troop ship that was quick and easy to build and capable of crossing the rough winter waters of the Atlantic, at least once? They called them “liberty ships” and there are still a few afloat today. (Incidentally, they were made of concrete) And, I thought rocks, sank?

People like Henry Ford, Alvin Edison, Howard Hughes, Bill Gates, etc, etc, etc. Some may not have been the finest of gentleman, but they all helped make the world a better place in which to live through positive thought and action.

I hope to see you on these pages again, soon. If you have any good news, announcements, upcoming important meetings or events, dates and soirees, drop me a line by commenting below.

And, as the year begins its swirl into oblivion, let me leave you with a provocative thought for the day: “Those who get………..get.” ;-)

Have an up day!