Thomas Phinemann, Contributor
The popular saying, 'Flattery will get you anywhere', is particularly applicable when men are on the receiving end. There is no doubt that women enjoy flattery as well, but our focus is on men.
We all love to look good and feel good. Nothing's wrong with that, but it's foolish to try to please everybody. Any action that we take will please some people and displease others. Are we bold enough to take a stand, even if we stand alone?
History is replete with stories of men who dared to stand alone. We sometimes forget the bravery and selflessness that men have displayed and continue to display even in these troubled times.
Leadership comes naturally to most of us. Whether because of genetic or sociological influences, men generally have what it takes to take tough decisions, but some of these decisions leave us in unflattering positions.
Some of us are still unsure how we are going to pay school fees and other bills. We are just hoping for the best. Despite their challenges, men love to know they are appreciated. We want to be told how wonderful we are. We want to be praised for our efforts, although we sometimes make fools of ourselves.
Look for the good
This is as good a time as any for us to look for the good in each other and shower each other with praise. This is not about cheap, empty flattery. This is about acknowledgement for major accomplishments as well as apparently minor acts of sincerity. This is about creating and spreading an attitude of gratitude. Can we suspend complaining for at least one day and just look around for the positives? When we are hurting, it is hard to count our blessings, but we can, if we try.
Positive thoughts
Positive thoughts improve self-confidence and empower us to do great feats. When we are empowered, we are able to empower others to be the best they can.
We all need our moment of glory, that moment when we feel good to be alive, that moment when we forget our troubles and look at the beauty of the earth and the creativity of man who can never outdo his creator.
The key to this is our good intentions. When we intend to see the good in others, we do. We are sometimes surprised at the abundance of good around us. If we had to create a list of 10 Jamaican men who have had a positive impact on our lives, who would those 10 men be?
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10 men who have had a positive impact on our lives
Public servant Professor Errol Miller is on Thomas Phinemann's list of most influential men in his life. - File
1. Dr Herbert Thompson, president of Northern Caribbean University.
2. Edward Seaga, former prime minister.
3. P.J. Patterson, former prime minister.
4. Rev Al Miller, pastor with a difference.
5. Prof Errol Miller, former principal of Mico Teachers' College.
6. Danville Walker, former director of elections.
7. Wayne Chen, CEO of Super Plus Food Stores.
8. Bruce Golding, current prime minister.
9. Courtney Kazembe, author of the book, Authentic Power.
10. Cliff Hughes, journalist extraordinaire.
Your list may be different. Can we all find 10 men that have impacted our lives positively?
These men may not even know you, but you know them. All the men that are on my list have made a positive impact on my life without even knowing it.
