9.1.8 Foundation Series: Essay 8
Related: Introduction to the Foundation Series · Essay 1 · Essay 2 · Essay 3 · Essay 4 · Essay 5 · Essay 6 · Essay 7
Welcome
Of all the themes I have explored in my life and career, few have had as lasting an impact as this one: the power of positive. This principle has shaped how I live, how I parent, and how I see the world. It is not a feel-good slogan. It is a mindset, a discipline, and a deeply personal value rooted in both experience and upbringing.
The Seeds of Positivity Planted Across Cultures
After graduating from university, I spent much of my early and mid-career working across the Asia-Pacific, partnering with teams, serving customers, and building lasting relationships in twenty countries within the region.
While I learned a lot from presentations and strategic plans, it was the deeper conversations that stayed with me. Around tea tables, on walk-and-talks, and during restorative team-builders, I kept returning to a simple truth my dad instilled early on: look for the good. Even when the challenges were real, and they often were, choosing optimism became a daily habit. Business partners later remembered that approach:
“You led with what was working, not what was broken.”
“You empowered us to begin with ‘yes,’ and address the gaps.”
That was not a business tactic. It was a belief.
Rooted in Childhood Lessons
My outlook was formed long before I ever held a job. Growing up, my mom regularly offered three guiding insights that stayed with me:
- “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.”
- Compare yourself to your own potential, not to others.
- Do not waste energy on negativity you cannot control.
Those lessons were the foundation of the “drive your own bus” mindset she instilled in me as a child. Whether it was cleaning the house, donating what we did not need, or choosing kindness over complaint, positivity was not just encouraged, it was practiced.
Crayons on the Wall: A Masterclass in Reframing
I have met many people who model positivity well, but one story stays with me. Tony, a young golf course superintendent in China, told me that his daughter once colored all over their apartment walls. I asked how he reacted. He smiled and said, “I bought her more crayons and told her to keep going. When she is older, I will repaint.”
That perspective humbled me. What others might call chaos or a mess, he saw as joy, presence, and art. That is the power of positive: seeing possibility where others see problems, turning difficulty into dignity, and choosing grace over control.
Positivity as a Daily Discipline
Over time, I have come to believe that positivity is not a personality trait. It is a discipline. It liberates us from what is broken and reminds us of what is possible. While negativity drains a room, positivity fills it with energy and light.
The people I admire most do not gossip. They do not dwell in cynicism. They lead with encouragement, presence, and hope. They acknowledge reality, but never let it write the whole story. Those are the people who feed my soul. And that is the kind of person I want to be.
Reflection Point
Positivity is not pretending all is well. It is choosing gratitude and hope when reality feels heavy.
The Lesson: Positivity Is a Choice, Not a Trait
- Life is not always easy, but positivity gives us power.
- Optimism reframes problems into possibilities.
- Positivity is not denial. It is discipline.
- When we lead with light, we invite others to do the same.
Practical Takeaways
- Start each day by naming three things that are working well.
- In tough conversations, begin with a yes before raising concerns.
- Reframe one frustration this week into a gift or lesson.
- Surround yourself with people who feed hope, not cynicism.
- Practice gratitude daily to build the muscle of optimism.
Two Questions to Explore
- Who in your life consistently brings positive energy into the room, and what have they taught you?
- How do you stay rooted in positivity when your inner voice or environment pulls you the other way?
Further Resources
- Learned Optimism by Martin E. P. Seligman. A foundational look at how explanatory style shapes resilience and hope.
- The Happiness Advantage by Shawn Achor. Research on how positivity fuels performance and well being.
- Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl. A timeless reflection on purpose, suffering, and inner freedom.
- The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale. A classic on cultivating optimism in daily life.
Thank you for being part of my journey. May positivity guide your choices and brighten the lives of those around you.
Live. Lead. Love.
Billy
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Explore the Foundation Series · Essay 1 · Essay 2 · Essay 3 · Essay 4 · Essay 5 · Essay 6 · Essay 7
Hey, Billy! How great to come across this! I love what you’re doing to bring light into a dark world.
Thank you so much, Dianne. That means a lot coming from you. I have always seen you as a bright light in our beautiful world, someone who lifts others simply by being present.
As Albert Schweitzer wrote, “At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person.” You have done that for many.
Hi Billy, I read your article today and it really resonated with me! You said positivity empowers people, while negativity drains the energy from a room—so true!
You also mentioned that positivity is a choice, not a gift. That’s profound because it means positivity can be cultivated, just like the action guide at the end of your article suggests. I consider myself a fairly optimistic person, but I still need to practice: smiling at myself in the mirror every day, reflecting on a few things that went well, and focusing on the positive when facing setbacks. There’s no such thing as failure in life—if you do well, it’s progress; if things don’t go smoothly, it’s experience.
Thank you for sharing such a philosophical and empowering article. It will help many people cultivate a better state of being!
Thank you, Joe. Your reflection truly made my day. I can tell you live what you wrote, especially your line about progress and experience. That mindset captures the heart of what I hoped to express. I see positivity much like a muscle; it strengthens when practiced with intention.
Your example of smiling in the mirror and finding what went well reminds me of this quote by William James: “Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.” You are doing exactly that.
I am grateful you took the time to read and share your insights. You have added more light to the conversation.
Billy…..I’m so glad you chose this subject as one of your Foundation subjects. You positioned it strongly and eloquently. It also brings back many memories of your growing up. You persisted when you knew something was right, and that it could bring positive results for another person.
Well done,
Dad
Thank you, Dad. That means a lot coming from you. So much of what I wrote and how I see the world was shaped by the example you set. You taught me that positivity is not naïve optimism but a steady belief that goodness and effort can change outcomes. I am grateful every day for that lesson and for you.
This writing personally touches me in many ways. You made me a positive thinker. Each of your words during our conversations sticks with me and I feel joy, happiness, positivity, purpose during all our times together. I read your writing multiple times and looking forward to read more. Thank you so much for sharing. One day I would like to start a blog – you are my inspirer and I salute you. – Bobby
Bobby, your words mean more than I can express. Knowing that something I’ve written or shared has brought you joy, positivity, and a sense of purpose truly humbles me. You’ve always carried that light within you; I’m just glad if my writing helped reflect it back.
When you decide to start your own blog, I’ll be cheering you on every step of the way. The world needs your voice and your story.
Thank you, my friend.
Hi Billy, I’m absolutely thrilled and deeply honored to be part of the beautiful stories in your writing. I was just telling Joe how being your family or close friend must be the most wonderful blessing one could have!
It’s remarkable how shared values can transcend time, distance, and cultural boundaries, resonating at the deepest level. I’m truly grateful for our friendship and to have you as both an inspiring mentor and such an incredible friend. I can’t wait to bring my children back to Minnesota to see you again in future！
Tony, thank you for this kind note. I feel grateful for our friendship and the shared values that have shaped it over the years. It has always been a joy to stay connected across time and distance. I look forward to seeing you and your family in Minnesota again in the future.