My late mother was not a particularly philosophical woman, but she did occasionally pass on bits of advice that have always stood me in good stead.
"Always look after the underdog"
"If you can't be easy, be as easy as you can"
"Everything happens for the better"
"When making friends, look for those who show enthusiasm"
There were many others snippets, but the one that comes to mind most often is the final one. I can't say that I've ever actively gone out looking for enthusiastic people, but they have naturally come my way. Maybe their mothers told them something similar, and they have sought me out. Who knows!
There are few other traits that are more attractive and appealing than enthusiasm. Show me someone who shows no enthusiasm for anything at all, and I'll show you someone that I avoid like the plague!
31 comments:
What a lovely profile your mother had!
Her advice seems sound. Especially the last piece you mention. Jaded people bore me to tears.
I don't understand people who show no enthusiasm.
Absolutely right.
You look like your mother.
I see in today's paper that Norwich is one of the best places to live.
Rather boring otherwise! Not many unenthusiastic people around here
Happy people with strong local identity.
House prices will rise!
Keep it that way.
I think you look remarkably like your mother Cro! and I'm afraid I have lost enthusiasm for most things these days...you wouldn't like me.
I agree with the last one. Every day I try to get enthusiastic about something. Yesterday morning for example I was enthusiastic about going for a swim, and then I was overenthusiastic about my lunch (ate a little too much) but in the evening I was enthusiastic about the meditation group. So all in all an enthusiastic day. Today I'm trying to get enthusiastic about an idea for a painting.
The trouble with enthusiasm is often the wrong people have it. Tony Blair is a classic. You can see it in the gleam in his eyes. The enthusiasm of the mad emperor.
Yes, we are alike.
I'm sure you're enthusiastic about all sorts of things. You wouldn't write your blog if you weren't.
Then Gordon Brown showed no enthusiasm for anything (other than privatising the NHS).... I almost preferred Blair.
You was lucky to have a clever mother,how important it is to give a child clever advices.
I tend to substitute positivity for enthusiasm but perhaps they inevitably go hand in hand.
I try to give my children good advice too. I'm not sure if I've been successful.
Yes, I would say the two are interlinked.
Your Mum gave good advice ..... I think that I like people with a happy outlook too ..... some people just talk doom and gloom all of the time which can really bring you down ( don't get me wrong though .... I do understand when people are going through bad times and I have a sympathetic ear then !!!! ) XXXX
" don't stand up in a canoe"
There's no such thing as an honest politician.
Never sneeze with your eyes open.
I am a total failure at life. I know a bit about a lot but knowledgeable about nothing. I am a keen learner and gatherer of information, but enthusiastic about nothing.
Do not sit in a tent if the French President is in the region is excellent and topical advice.
There was a lot more, but I tried to keep it short. Miserable people are their own worst enemies; I leave them to it.
Don't go in a canoe in the first place.
Never sneeze your eyes open.
The fact that you are a 'keen learner' proves that you have enthusiasm.
Have I missed something? I certainly wouldn't sit in a ramshackle shack, in the middle of a Parisian roundabout, with the forces of law and order about.
A sniper guarding the president shot two people in a tent. To be fair his gun went off by accident. I am not sure if that is a good thing or a bad thing...
Your mum was a wise lady, and wasn't she gorgeous! She looks so strong and proud!
Guns have a way of going off by accident; I blame the safety catch.
She was a good old stick.
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