Working on Positivity

Being positive is getting easier, becuase once you start looking for it, there is positivity everywhere.  This morning, Jack Layton, the official leader of the Opposition and the leader of the NDP passed away, and (Canadian) Social Media erupted in messages of love and condolences. Seeing friends, who worked tirelessly to deride the NDP party during election this spring, put aside politics to pay homage to a man who, if nothing else, could be noted for his bravery in the face of bleak prognosis of cancer and his dedication to the country as a whole, was inspiring. I took it as a sign that we, as a country, see the value in every person, even if we don't agree with their platform (the fact there was a comment or two from NDP supporters who wished the same fate on our current PM I will take as a sign of grief and the need to filter my Facebook newsfeed).

I believe death and grief are a very private subjects, and have been refraining from my usually obsessive "OMG something happened I must know everything" behaviour, since it usually leads to me getting angry at something or someone causing me to rant and this is not the time for rants. However, I did take a break in my day to read the letter Layton penned in the event that he not win his battle. While it did provide a number of instructions to his political party, and a number of commendations for the citizens of Canada, what stood out were the closing lines:

"My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we’ll change the world."

For a man known for his political ideals, he has left us with words that can be embraced by all, regardless of political affiliation.

And you must admit, he was somewhat of a snappy dresser!
(Come on, it's a fashion blog, I had to bring it back somehow)