Passing ON What We Feel

Ted Engstrom in High Performance (Here’s Life Publishers, 1988) tells the story of a trusted advisor of President Abraham Lincoln who recommended a candidate for Lincoln’s cabinet. Lincoln declined and when asked why, he said, “I don’t like the man’s face.”

“But the poor man is not responsible for his face,” his adviser insisted. “Every man over forty is responsible for his face,” Lincoln replied, and the prospect was considered no more.

Lincoln, of course, was referring to the man’s expression and disposition rather than his features. A face conveys the thoughts and attitudes nurtured in a mind. We are responsible for how we will “face” each day.

One woman reported that she had just paid for some purchases when she heard the cashier say something. Not understanding, she asked her to repeat it. “I said have a happy day,” the cashier snapped. “Are you deaf?” Here is a person who seems to be unaware of how she is facing others.

Earl Nightingale put it like this: “Our attitude is something we can control. We can establish our attitude each morning when we start our day.

In fact, we do just that whether we realize it or not.”

You are already choosing your attitudes every day. Your ultimate happiness or misery depends as much on your disposition as on your circumstances.

Face the day with hope and confidence, generosity and love, and you’ll find yourself choosing to be happy. And you may be surprised at how much others like your face!

What do you or I convey?