Nearly every day in our lives, if we are out and about, we will run into people who are unpleasant, obnoxious and downright nasty. It could be on the road, in the supermarket, in the workplace or any other location were we come into contact with people with differing views.

Perhaps those people see us as unpleasant, obnoxious and downright nasty and maybe sometimes we are, knowingly or unknowingly, the agitators.

If we hold on to the nasty comments of other people or our own, over time, it will swell into a river of negative thoughts. Therefore, it is best to forgive and forget any past unpleasantness.

It is also very important to forgive ourselves for any transgressions our emotional ego’s may sometimes commit. Both forms of forgiving (self and other people) are very important if we are to remain healthy and disease free.

A mind filled with resentments and hates will fill the body full of cancer, heart failure and other debilitating illnesses over a period of years … Hence, forgiveness is a powerful medicine and sometimes may be a hard pill to swallow.

My Jewish name is Menacha, which means to forgive. I may kid around with negative people and sometimes speak my mind about their negative approach but I wish them all well and they should all live a prosperous life in love and joy despite their inner Goliaths.

When anger or resentments come into our mind towards others, who have done us a disservice, we should learn to turn their insults into creative ideas from our heart and soul. In other words, turn a negative remark from others into a positive idea that can produce great results for future prosperity.

Enjoy each moment on earth and don’t allow other peoples negative comments to steal the joy of the moment.

“Hi,” boomed the happy voice of a 25 ish woman, her warm smile beaming head to toe from her 4 foot, 8 inch small body.

It was Christmas time and this young lady, Michelle Josephson and a little boy were bell ringers at a Salvation Army collection station outside a busy grocery store. But Michelle rang no bell nor did she even ask for money.

“Good morning” or “Merry Christmas,” came from her lips and as she looked people glowingly in the eye, her eyes locking into theirs. It was almost as if she could see into their hearts.

She bubbled over with love for them, her warmth never leaving even when she got the occasional cold shoulder from an aloof passerby.

Yet in the 10 minutes I watched her, person after person dropped money in the collection plate at a pace like nothing else I had ever seen. Some came back to give more.

People who moments earlier had been stressfully rushing from place to place suddenly wanted to stop and chat with Michelle, or just spend an instant in the glow of her smile.

“How do you greet people so warmly,” I asked “I’m just a very happy person,” Michelle answered with a sparkle in her eyes.

“How long have you been with the Salvation Army?” I inquired. “I’ve been with the Salvation Army since 2002,” she answered, “and I’m in training to become an officer.”

As I looked at this energetic elf of a lady, I nearly hugged her as a father would his daughter and was pleased to make a contribution.

“Thank you,” she responded emphasizing each word slowly and practically hugging me with her smile. “Have a Merry Christmas.”

What a valuable lesson she offers to each of us. Most people want to feel a sense of warmth and caring from others.

That need for warmth and caring is so great, it permeates their very being. Yet seldom do others satisfy it. But when someone does, even for an instant from a person they’ve never met, it brings out a joy most people can’t explain. It’s a spontaneous blissful reaction.

Imagine how popular you could become if you often greeted people with a big smile and exuded sincere good wishes for them. Even now as I share this with you, thinking of this young woman’s cheerfulness causes me to beam with joy and perhaps it touches your heart as well.

Success Tip of the Week: Try it. Greet the next person you see with a big sincere smile and see if you don’t receive an uplifting reception in return.

In the next KazanToday: For a man down on his luck, the “impossible dream” came true.