The Power of a Half-full Glass

"For many children, the holiday season is a great time of joy and delight. It is easy to feel optimistic when the days are peppered with parties where gifts and treats are abundant. But, what about the ability to engage in the art of happiness during the other, less celebratory, part of the year?  One of the most important duties of raising global children is to help them develop an optimistic outlook on life. Learning how to maintain a positive attitude is key to a child’s future and the well-being of the planet. [...]

If global kids are brought up to understand that we live in a world with more opportunity, hope, and promise than ever before, they will grow into positive-minded, productive adults who are inspired to work with others to create solutions for problems regarding societal issues, the economy, and the environment." Learn about four practical ways to teach kids optimism and joy in this week's featured article from Moms Gone Global.

Title: The Tao of Pooh
By: Benjamin Hoff
Ages: Any age

"More than a universally beloved children’s classic, Winnie-the-Pooh is also of the most essential children’s books brimming with wisdom for adults. In 1982, Benjamin Hoff synthesized that wisdom with a spin, drawing an allegorical parallel between A. A. Milne’s classic and the Eastern philosophy of Taoism. The Tao of Pooh uses Pooh and his friends to explain the basic principles of Taoism: compassion, moderation and humility. Simple, delightful and wonderfully written, it remains a timeless invitation to a life of quiet happiness, even amidst the relentlessly demanding reality and superficial preoccupations of Western culture." -- Maria Popova

This article lists a variety of ways to reinforce and model optimism for your children. Try one of them to see if there's any attitude change -- either yours or your kids'.