David Mezzapelle - 10 Habits of Truly Optimistic People: Power Your Life with the Positive

CONTAGIOUS OPTIMISM BOOK SERIES

10 HABITS OF

TRULY
OPTIMISTIC
PEOPLE

POWER YOUR LIFE WITH THE POSITIVE

DAVID MEZZAPELLE

FOREWORDS BY WILL GLENNON
AND JIM CATHCART

Copyright 2015 by David Mezzapelle.

All rights reserved. Except for brief passages quoted in newspaper, magazine, radio, television or online reviews, no part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying or recording, or by information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

Published in the United States by Viva Editions, an imprint of Start Midnight, LLC, 375 Hudson Street, Twelfth Floor, New York, New York 10014.

Printed in the United States.
Cover design: Scott Idleman/Blink
Cover photograph: Dougal Waters/Getty Images
Text design: Frank Wiedemann

First Edition.
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Trade paper ISBN: 978-1-63228-005-3
E-book ISBN: 978-1-63228-011-4

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available.

To my family for putting up with my contagious optimism for all these years, and for being supportive of this project including the many hours, days, and weeks that kept us apart.

To our Contagious Optimism staff, coauthors, and fans for being the greatest anyone could ever ask for.

To our Contagious Optimism LIVE team for bringing all this to life on stage, radio, and television.

To our publisher, Viva Editions, for being psyched about this project and for their continued confidence in its growth.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

FOREWORD: AN ACT OF KINDNESS

Years ago, I wrote Random Acts of Kindness with the belief that simple deeds can bring smiles to peoples faces. My book reflects the Golden Rule that we all learned in elementary school: Treat others the way you want to be treated. I loved reading and publishing other peoples stories of kindnessjust as I now love reading this Contagious Optimism book series and its stories from the people who want to spread such a positive movement. I am proud to be part of a community thats making the world a happier place for the next generation. You, reader, have joined a wonderful community by picking up this book.

I consider this book an act of kindness. So many people are sharing their stories of loss and times of struggle in order to help others overcome their own experiences. The Contagious Optimism book series inspires others to find their way when they feel lost.

I recall an occasion of inspirational acts of kindness nearly two years ago when the world seemed to stop. Twenty-six children in Newtown, Connecticut, died in a school shooting. The light went out in so many peoples lives and being happy seemed to be an impossible feat.

Instantly, people started to bring back that light. A pay it forward movement spread through word of mouth and social media. There was a pay it forward line outside a Starbucks drive-through. One photographer took free photos for families. Some left money beside vending machines to bring a smile to an unsuspecting customer. Though simple, these acts lifted hearts and inspired others to give back. People felt that they needed to do something, and that they did. I am most interested in the way these acts spread: by example.

Give this book to someone who feels stuck and needs an inspiration. Learn how people who have gone through the worst experiences overcame their obstacles. After you finish this book, think about what you will do to help spread optimism in the world.

Our acts of kindness can be small, but they can have great impact. In this Contagious Optimism book, 10 Habits of Truly Optimistic People, the stories are small, but the messages are larger than life. I firmly believe that the more goodwill and happiness we spread, the better the world becomes. Enjoy this book and, above all, stay positive.

Will Glennon

San Francisco, California

FOREWORD: OPTIMISM IS VIRAL

The biggest goal you can have for an online posting is that it will go viral. Thats when it is so appealing that others spontaneously pass it along until it reaches far beyond your own capacity for promoting it. This is the same concept behind 10 Habits of Truly Optimistic People. We want this to be so uplifting and enjoyable that you cant resist enthusiastically telling others about it.

Im an optimist, a proud and bold optimist. I believe in the eternal possibilities for life to expand and improve. Im convinced that anything can be better.

This book series is designed to spread that positive belief to the entire world. There is no need to settle for a life that can be tolerated when you can aspire to a life that can be celebrated. You and I can make this world better every single day through a myriad of small and large actions that will encourage others and improve circumstances.

Growing up, I never thought my life would matter much. It was my operating assumption that Id serve my time, do some good, have some fun, and then be goneforever. I expected to be a nice but unimportant person. One day all that changed. I heard a radio broadcast by Earl Nightingale that told me, If youll spend one extra hour each day studying your chosen field, you will become a national expert in that field in five years or less. I was stunned! What?! With just one extra hour a day? Even I could do that! Thats the day my life changed direction. This can happen for you as well.

You can change the direction of your own life simply by reading or hearing just one encouraging story a day about how someone else made this world a better place, or how they overcame a challenge or achieved a goal. Just one story a day and your life will change direction too.

You can also make a profound difference in your world starting now. Within one hour you can have a positive impact on someone or something. Look around you. There are things large and small that can be improved, and you are in a position to make them better. You may not be able to do it all or do it alone, but you can become the contagious force that starts the growth process. And as you grow and improve personally, youll make an even bigger difference.

Because you are reading this book, you are already on the right path. Make that your new habit of choice: read something positive and uplifting every day. Even if it is just for a few minutes, do it every day without fail and you too will be without fail. Sure, some things you try wont work as planned. But failure is not when things dont work; its when you stop working! Gain a new positive mindset today and become a Contagious Optimist!

Jim Cathcart

Bestselling author, world-renowned speaker

Carlsbad, California

WELCOME

Welcome to 10 Habits of Truly Optimistic People, the second volume in our Contagious Optimism book series. We are proud to continue our mission of bringing uplifting stories and insight to readers all over the world. No matter what may be happening in your life, it is encouraging to learn how other people have persevered and found their silver linings.

Real stories can be powerful. I learned this when I was young, during visits with my relatives. When I think back, I vividly remember visiting my grandmother in New York in the 1970s. I can still smell her cooking; I can still feel the comfort of her living room couch. However, what I remember most are the stories my relatives told. While I may have heard those stories a thousand times, I would give anything to hear them again today.