In a little more than a decade, I have been laid-off from six jobs, for a variety of reasons, such as companies closing; down-sizing and defense cuts, etc. During this dreadful time of my life, I have had the opportunity to work as a temporary employee, until a regular job came along. Over the years, I have worked at over 15 different companies.

THE NEGATIVE...

During that time, I worked in quite a few negative work places and I didn't like it at all. I remember one place I worked at for about 3 months, the supervisor was about as negative as they come, and I couldn't like him at all. And, neither did his employees! He was one of those guys with an attitude problem..."my way or the highway" or "love it or leave it!! One of those controlling type of a guys...you know the type!

After a few weeks on the job, I noticed that the employees were good workers; had good attendance; worked long hours if they had to; they produced quality work; teamwork and so forth. One day, the supervisor called us all to a meeting, which was my first at the company. I was so upset because this jerk focused on the negative instead of the positive! All he talked about was all the things the employees were doing wrong...petty things...that shouldn't have even been discussed, and it looked like to me like he was "looking" for things to bring up!

During the meeting, he never once focused on the positive contributions made by his employees; their good work; their good attendance; working overtime...NOTHING! I don't think there was anyone in the company who liked this guy because of the way he treated people...like dirt! His name was "Gustavo," and the employees called him "Gustapo," which was fitting! He couldn't understand why morale was so low in his department. HE was the reason why morale was so low!

Another assignment brought me to another work place, and another negative environment. I worked with this woman that was one of the most difficult and worst people I have ever been around. She was a chronic whiner; a chronic complainer; put down everyone in sight; nothing was ever right with her, and I knew right from the time I got there, I would not be working there very long! This woman had a lot of hate in her. She had to get some therapy to get all that hate out of her. She was so awful to be around, that, what was supposed to be a long-term assignment, lasted only two weeks. I had to quit and go someplace else.

As I said before, I have zero tolerance for negative people, which I describe, in part, as the following:

* People who are always trying to find something negative in others! Many times finding "petty" things to criticise.

* People of put-down, who get a laugh at somebody else's expense, and they make no apologies for it.

* Many negative people are "experts," who know how to run your life; raise your kids and mow your lawn, etc.

* Whiners and crybabies, who blame everybody for their mistakes and short-comings...but themselves!

* People who always talk about they CAN'T do, instead of what they CAN do!

If people would put all that energy that they waste on the negative...and, put it into something positive, they would be much better persons for it, and so would their families.

THE POSITIVE...

Just about everything I do...if something negative happens to me, I always think something positive will come out of it. One of the best examples, was when I quit smoking in 1970. The negative thing that happened to me, was that I got sick as a dog, with the flu! I couldn't keep anything down and I lost my voice to a whisper because of chest congestion. After two weeks of this, the last thing I wanted was a cigarette, and this laid the foundation for me to quit smoking. On the positive side of things, getting sick was one of the best things that happened to me, as I went on the quit smoking. I tried to quit two previous times, and couldn't do it, but this time I did it!

* * *

It was early Sunday morning, and I went to the grocery store to pick up a few things. I finished shopping and got into the car, and began to drive out about 5 miles per hour. As I was driving out of the parking lot, I noticed something was wrong with the front end, so I stopped right away. I stopped and got out of the car, and to my surprise, the front left tire just collapsed right in front of me! I've never seen anything like this before! My thoughts? "More expenses!"

At the time I was very upset because I was going to have to buy another tire, but on the positive side of things, I was very LUCKY! This tire collapsed doing 5 miles per hour in front of the store, and if this would have happened out in the streets or on the freeway, I wouldn't be writing about it! When I took the tire to the tire store, the salesman, told me that was one of the worst tires he had ever seen, and the way it ruptured! After that incident, I didn't care about expenses, and I replaced all four tires, and was happy to do so.

* * *

I was a woodcarver for over 20 years, and when I first started, I placed one of my owls to be juried for a show I really wanted to participate in. Two weeks later, I got the rejection slip and my piece didn't make it. After sobbing, crying and pouting for a couple of weeks, it turned out to be one of the best things that ever happened to me. I had started out participating in one art/craft show after another. The first eight shows were successful for me, and my attitude was changing! That was not good! I was getting a BIG FAT HEAD that didn't fit in the universe; I was dancing and prancing with my feet off the ground; and I really thought I was SOMEBODY! And, there was probably a little arrogance in there someplace. I didn't like my attitude and where I was going with it!

So, for the first time, my wood work had been rejected, and on the positive side of things, it was the best thing that could have happened to me because I ate a nice slice of humble pie. The rejection brought my down to earth; I didn't have a big fat head anymore; I began to talk to the "little people of the world"; I wasn't stuck-up anymore, etc. As things turned out, I wasn't as good as I thought I was! This dreadful attitude that I was acquiring was gone, and I was so happy about that! That negative turned out to be a big positive for me!

Over the years, I have met so many positive people who are a joy to be with and have them around. What I like in positive people follows:

* I like to be around people who give more than they take.

* I like to be around people who are winners in their occupation or profession.

* I like to be around people who are "doers" with a "can do" attitude and are accomplishing something

with their lives.

* I like to be around people who are honest and trustworthy, with integrity and values.

* I like to be around people with a strong work ethic; are hard workers and like to do the job right.

* I like to be around people who are responsible; care about others; care about the environment, children, women; senior issues; pets and wildlife.

* I like to be around people who are good at what they do, and inspire me to be good at what I do.

* I like to be around people who have overcome challenges and obstacles and accomplish their goals.

* I like to be around people who start a job...and finish it.

* I like to be around people who take responsibility for their mistakes and shortcomings, and blame nobody but themselves.

* And finally, I like to be around people with a sense of humor. So, I'll finish this piece with a bit of humor.

One evening, I was driving home from work, and I was stopped at a red light. As I waited for the traffic light to change, I noticed there was a dry cleaning establishment across the street, with a portable sign out front, which read:

"Drop Your Pants Here!"

Jerry Aragon
http://humordoctormd.homestead.com