This article continues to deal with the eight serene virtues that separate joyful people from those who are not. It is vital to your life to reverse any negative buildup of angry thoughts and reactions. We need to notice how each angry reaction by ourselves makes us more miserable and more likely stressed and more vulnerable to any sneeze from a very sick person walking by. Then, we will catch and incorporate that sickness, especially if we are feeling weak, distressed, angry, or have been on a poor diet.



In contrast, we all know a more saintly person who lives and eats so healthy she makes us sick. Well, actually, we are making ourselves sick, he or she is making themselves healthy and happy. Enough with the attitude of a bat, looking down on everything. The more positive, healthy and good we are, and the better we take care of ourselves, the more a leader there is in us, if that is what is in us. And I say that after having reflected on my high school days of touch football, and the much higher level of understanding of a key element in keeping to the high ground, and do it with an inner sense of personal destiny.

If, for example your name is Alexander and you are at that academy with the other young princes from the other city states of ancient Greece. That you have leadership in you, you work on so much that you build an attitude and a reputation that of one will just will not give it up when all else wonder how in heaven we get out of this hole: all turn to the main man and look into his eyes. All who looked into the unusual blue eyes of an Alexander saw the fiery gaze of one who saw himself as destined, and death before dishonor as routine as life itself.

What Alexander may have shared in this sense was in a statement I just read the words of the father of Dan Marino of Miami football fame who said "In critical situations, they look into your eyes to see if you're there. If you're not there, they start quitting".

Those eight virtues that cause people to live longest, most healthy, and more joyful lives than the average, as researchers at the University of California found, are to count your blessings, do acts of kindness, savor the joys of life, thank a mentor, learn to forgive, stay close to friends and family, take care of your body, and develop strategies to cope with stress and hardship.

That is certainly how most winning athletes cover many of those virtues, and if they toss in the other half they are going to be long time winning and joyful group, who see inspired fire in each set of eyes. Everyone is home, lights all ablaze, fire in the boiler, home stretch we are in. Now, first, let us get out of this hole, and then punch our way home.

Joyfully, merrily like everyone's favorite little angel. Never mind my cleated boot, or fearful look, you are in my way to joy, Roy. Down you go, that's a good boy. Will be back to help you restore, just after I score. I am in huge pain, but will enjoy the champagne.