Early Summer 2011 - The Power of Nice Dear Friends At my last mammogram, the tech greeted me as if I were about to get a spa facial instead of smash my breasts between cold plates of steel. This woman was so upbeat and NICE that for the next 15 minutes I forgot I was supposed to be uncomfortable. When we said our goodbyes, it dawned on me that I had experienced no discomfort whatsoever. What I had experienced was the power of Nice. Another person who has this down is my dental hygienist. She makes getting my teeth cleaned feel like a trip to the Comedy Store. She's living proof that nice has nothing to do with being an enabling doormat goody-goody. (Once she made me laugh so hard the suction tube thing flew across the room.Who knew dental hygiene could be so much fun?!) I've noticed 'nice' has gotten a bad rap over the years though. It's no longer hip or sexy, and it certainly doesn't make for engaging reality TV. If it can transform mammograms and teeth cleaning into happy times and make us feel good down to our molars, why don't we all aspire to seek it out and emulate it more? When I asked a particularly kind Manhattan cab driver this question, he said he learned from his father that to compete in New York City, you had to be nice -- not just act nice, but be nice. He said it was a matter of character. If you had it, you would stand out from the others and thrive. When you think about it, it's not rocket science. My mom taught me this very formula when I was a child:'You catch more flies with honey,' she'd say. Being nice is a choice, and it both brings nice back to you and makes you feel happy. It takes no more time or effort than being a curmudgeon (especially if you're in the habit), and it costs nothing for practicing. What you get in return is priceless, from healthy blood pressure to fewer gray hairs. So this summer, whether we're holed up in an airport for four hours or stuck in traffic for two, let's not forget the powers of being boldly and bravely nice. If the positivity and kindness of one person can transform periodontal planing, just think of what it can do for our summer vacations! Other Issues: Early Summer 2013 -- Slow Down Enough to Smile Late Spring 2013 -- Recognizing Gifts Spring 2013 -- Doing the Best We Can Early Spring 2013 -- Know Where You're Going Holiday 2012 -- Our Power to Adapt Fall 2012 -- Gratitude for What We Have Early Fall 2012 -- See the Beauty in Front of Us Late Summer 2012 -- Modify So It Works for You Summer 2012 -- Finding Balance Early Summer 2012 -- Go Ahead and Take that Risk! Late Spring 2012 - Trusting Your Gut Spring 2012 - Living Life to the Fullest Early Spring 2012 - New Year, No Excuses Winter 2011 - A Thoughtful Tip Holiday 2011 - How Did I Get Here? Fall 2011 - Giving Thanks for What We Already Have Late Summer 2011 - Taking Ourselves Off Automatic Midsummer 2011 - Friends Through Thick and Thin Late Spring 2011 - The Gifts of Spring Spring 2011 - Worst Case Scenario Early Spring 2011 - Break Away From the Herd Winter 2010 - Lessons From Feral Kitty Holiday 2010 - The Art of Imperfection Fall 2010 - When the Student is Ready... Late Summer 2010 - Saddle Up Midsummer 2010 - Hurry Up and Wait Early Summer 2010 - Don't Just Stand There. Do Something! Late Spring 2010 - Gifts From My Mother Spring 2010 - Taking That First Step Early Spring 2010 - I Think it's Time Winter 2009 - Choose Love, Not Fear Holiday 2009 - Paying it Forward Fall 2009 - You're Not Alone Late Summer 2009 - "Searching" for Peace Midsummer 2009 Early Summer 2009 Late Spring 2009 Spring 2009 Early Spring 2009 Winter 2008 Holiday 2008 Fall 2008 Late Summer 2008 Midsummer 2008 Early Summer 2008 Late Spring 2008 Spring 2008 Early Spring 2008 Winter 2007 Holiday 2007 Fall 2007 Late Summer 2007 Midsummer 2007 Early Summer 2007 Late Spring 2007 Spring 2007 Early Spring 2007 Winter 2006 Holiday 2006 Fall 2006 Late Summer 2006 Midsummer 2006 Early Summer 2006 Late Spring 2006 Spring 2006 Early Spring 2006

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