Author: Manny Kagan

When Positive Can Be Negative

  

When Positive Can Be Negative

A son comes from school and tells his father, “I have negative feelings about passing my test.” “Son, you have to be positive.” “OK, Dad. I am positive that my test results are negative.” Since this is a joke, this is the punchline, and you are supposed to laugh. However, a negative result of the Covid-19 test is the positive outcome. 

72 hours before arriving in Hawaii, we had to take the test and get a negative result. And then, after having a good time for a week on Maui, we took another one 5 days after our return. And I was positive that it was going to be negative. During the first days of being there, I felt my tiredness leave my body, like air from a balloon. And of course, getting vitamin D from the sun helped. And not only for me, but the beautiful hibiscus flowers, as well. 

The yellow hibiscus is the official flower of Hawaii. It is beautiful and has many color variations. I am positive that you are going to have a positive reaction seeing three of my picks.

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Where to get Vitamin D?

  

Where to get Vitamin D?

If your answer is anywhere where vitamins are sold, you are partially correct. Vitamin D is nicknamed the sunshine vitamin because our body produces it after sun exposure. I found a website with this article online: 17 Benefits of Vitamin D.

For me, the most important thing I get from it is that it helps to build my immune system. To get sunshine and to celebrate my birthday, we went to Maui. Life here, in my opinion, is a sample of how to keep living during the pandemic.

We had to get a Covid test prior to coming here, keep our masks on when people are within 6 feet away, and spend as much time outside as possible. And of course, we enjoyed good food in restaurants (when not covering your face). Whenever we looked around, there were parents and grandparents with their children, who for their development definitely need portion of the Vitamin D.

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A Good Start Finishes Half The Work

  

A Good Start Finishes Half The Work

You probably have not heard the Russian proverb I used in the title; however, you might have heard the story about the two competitive wood cutters. While one of them worked nonstop, another one was taking breaks. At the end, the first guy was surprised that his friend cut twice as much wood. “How did you manage to do it?” he asked with amazement. “Very simple. While you were cutting, I was taking breaks to sharpen my ax.” This is how I felt after last year. Working nonstop for long hours, thanks to low mortgage rates, I felt that my “ax” needs to be sharpened. Besides, I needed time (physical and mental) to continue to work on my next book. We are now in Maui, where we came for a weeklong vacation, as an excuse to commemorate my birthday on January 13th. 

Ordering “42 Encounters with Laughter” can be a gift for you and your friends, as well as a gift for me, and it can be a good way to start the New Year. The book is going to be available on amazon.com in a few weeks. If you want to pre-order, please send me an email to mannykagan@comcast.net. Let’s make 2021 a Year of Laughter. And to help you to have a good start, start with a smile while looking at this beautiful rose and its transformation.

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Fridays With Manny

  

Say “Yes” to Positivity


During our walks with Max in our neighborhood, we often pass a “Little Library” – a box on a pole, where neighbors exchange books. One book caught my attention by its controversial title, “Saying “No” to Negativity. How to Manage Negativity in Yourself. Your Boss and Your Co-Workers”, written by Zoie Kaye. The author probably did not realize that the title, in spite of its intention, contained a negative connotation. To demonstrate the difference between “No” and “Yes”, I want to share a joke with you.

“What is the difference between a diplomat and a virgin?”

“If a diplomat says “Yes”, he means “Maybe”; if a diplomat says “Maybe”, he means “No”, and if a diplomat says “No”, he is not a diplomat.” And at the same time if a virgin says “Maybe”, she means “Yes”, and if she says “Yes”, she is not a virgin.”

Jokes can teach us a lot about how to relate to life positively and not to take things seriously. This was one of the reasons why I put together a new photo-story book “42 Encounters with Laughter”. The book is going to be available on amazon.com in a few weeks. If you want to pre-order, please send me an email to mannykagan@comcast.net.

Meanwhile, to practice being positive, say “Yes” to these images of roses. 

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Fridays with Manny

  

Let’s Make 2020
A Year of Laughter


Happy New Year, Dear Friend!

I decided to start the New Year not only with a new look for my essays; but also, with a new spirit, which I would like to share with you. Together we will make 2021 the Year of Laughter.

To help us, I published my next photo-story book “42 Encounters with Laughter”. It is going to be available in about two weeks. The book has 42 + jokes and images of laughing people. I guarantee you will laugh as well. In the book you are going to be reminded, first of all, to laugh at ourselves, laugh when life presents you challenges, to laugh with a friend. Like the guy who laughed at the joke three times. First when he heard it in the bar, the second time when he told the joke to his wife, and the third time the next morning when he finally got the punchline. Speaking of punchlines, jokes sound better when they are told to a friend. If you do not have one, just tell a joke to a stranger, and will have an instant friend. As you can see, I do it all the time.

You can preorder “42 Encounters with Laughter” on amazon.com.

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