Enthusiasm

     The subject for my blog today came from something I posted on Facebook a while back. It went something like this. Enthusiasm is contagious. Not having enthusiasm is also contagious. So which are you going to have?

     Enthusiasm could be defined as an absorbing or controlling possession of the mind by any interest or pursuit. Anything that inspires zeal or fervor could be considered enthusiastic.
     We all want to be successful in our lives. Enthusiastic people achieve success. They find something they want to accomplish and their enthusiasm drives them toward their goal. They are always in pursuit of a specific outcome, and their zeal motivates them to overcome any obstacles in their way.
     Of course, enthusiasm isn't the only attribute needed for success, but it's an integral part of anything we endeavor to achieve.
     In my life I have found that my enthusiasm is always accompanied by optimism, and my optimism in turn is always accompanied by a positive attitude. These attributes draw people to you. I think people naturally want to be around people who are positive and upbeat. We want to be around people who uplift and inspire us. Think for a minute of the people in your own life. We all know people who reside on both ends of the attitude spectrum. We know people who have enthusiasm and zeal for life, and we also know people who are pessimistic and gloomy. Which group do you find yourself drawn to? With whom do you find yourself spending most of your time? How do you feel when you spend time with the latter type? Do they lift you up, or do they bring you down with them? If you want to influence people, what type of attitude will you take on? What kind of atmosphere is swirling around you?
     Do the circumstances in our lives determine our attitudes and the enthusiasm we strive for?
     They can if we let them, but I believe ultimately we choose how we let our circumstances influence us. Here are a few examples from my own life. I have always been a happy person. Very rarely will you find me without a smile on my face. I am positive and optimistic about life and I think I am a fairly enthusiastic person. People enjoy being around me. I don't base this on my perception mind you, but rather on what friends and colleagues have told me. Co-workers and superiors alike have stated on different occasions how my cheery temperament has improved our work environment. Among the different observations I've heard about my enthusiasm are "You are a breath of fresh air; “You make the sun shine in grim places;" and “You brighten our work environment". Even the president of my company complimented me on my positive character on one occasion by saying "the man who marries you will be one of the luckiest men ever." When I asked him why he replied, "Because he will love waking up in the morning next to someone who is always smiling." He continued by saying "It is something we all want but most of us don't get." It was satisfying to see how my enthusiasm had affected others for the better.
     Of course, like everybody else I have challenges in life. I'm not rich, and I don't have every luxury that a person could want. I'm single, and at times I feel the sting of loneliness. But do these issues mean that I should become pessimistic? Absolutely not. Despite these and other difficulties that I might encounter, I remain enthusiastic about life. I maintain my positivity because I have found little things here and there to be enthusiastic about. Over time I have gained a general enthusiasm for life. I'm content with the things that I have, and I try not to worry about the things over which I have no control. I definitely try to pursue (with zeal!) the things that I can control. That's why I don't get depressed when I think about the things I don't have. I appreciate the things I've been blessed with, and that has made all the difference. It is incredible the effect one person can have on an entire group of people due to their enthusiasm and attitude. When we chose to focus on the things that we can control (namely, attitude) rather than the things we can’t, we can make a lasting impression in our environments.
     So, when you find yourself in similar circumstances, ask yourself

Enthusiasm is contagious. So is not having enthusiasm......Which am I going to choose to possess?