In 1969, I came across a poster of Meher Baba with his famous saying: “Don’t Worry, Be Happy.” At the time, I thought it was simplistic—too naïve to be useful, something like “Keep on the Sunny Side.” But over the years, this message has returned again and again, echoing through philosophy, art, and business. Perhaps there’s more truth to it than I once believed.
The Long History of “Be Happy”
Throughout history, optimism has been both celebrated and mocked. Voltaire ridiculed Leibniz’s idea that this is “the best of all possible worlds” in Candide. Bernstein turned that same idea into musical satire, giving us the character Pangloss, who cheerfully declares:
“Once one dismisses the rest of all possible worlds, one finds that this is the best of all possible worlds.”
It sounds foolish—yet hidden in that simplicity is a truth. The greatest ideas are often elegant and direct. Just as Einstein captured cosmic power in E = MC², the phrase “Don’t worry, be happy” may hold an equally elegant insight into human behavior.
Thinking Makes It So
Two thinkers captured the human condition from opposite poles. Thomas Hobbes described life as “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short.” Shakespeare, through Hamlet, countered: “There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so.” If Hobbes was right, despair is inevitable. If Shakespeare was right, then our mindset—not our circumstances—creates our world.
From Self-Criticism to Self-Remembering
“Positive thinking” can feel fake when we’re in real pain. It’s hard to chant away grief, loss, or financial stress. But there’s another way. Philosopher P.D. Ouspensky, in The Fourth Way, described a discipline called self-remembering. To break a habit—say smoking—you first watch yourself do it. Then you begin to notice when you’re about to do it and why. Awareness interrupts the pattern.
Years ago, I applied this idea when life felt heavy with sadness. Instead of forcing positivity, I began to notice when I was slipping into despair and to ask: “Is this thought helping me? What else, right now, can I be grateful for?” The answer could be as small as the scent of rain, the taste of a peach, or the touch of my dog’s nose. Each small gratitude became a spark, and those sparks lit a path out of darkness.
The Business of Gratitude
What does this have to do with real estate? In truth—everything. People want to work with positive people. Clients feel energy before they see credentials. A good attitude builds trust, opportunity, and success. When I made gratitude a discipline, something remarkable happened: my business grew; my relationships deepened; my resilience strengthened.
A Simple Practice That Changes Everything
- Notice your mindset. Catch the moment you spiral.
- Ask the question: “Is this thought serving me?”
- Find one small thing to be grateful for.
- Let that small spark lead you to the next.
Your positive attitude may be your greatest professional asset—and the surest path to a richer, happier life.
Ready to grow in a supportive, professional culture? Explore Join 1912 or contact John for a confidential conversation.
About the author: John Mijac is the Managing Broker of 1912 Realty in Tucson, Arizona. He helps agents grow through professionalism, mindset, and mastery of real-estate practice.