You know how I love meetings; I'm sure I've told you a million times that I consider them a gigantic waste of time, since they're mostly used for posturing and power games, neither of which interest me in the slightest. Not after 50 years of them--nothing new, nothing inspiring.

Being so negative is going to prevent me from deriving any benefit from this coming meeting. I need to shift my perspective around and look at it as an opportunity to learn more about the people around me, to share insights and discourage gossip, to show appreciation and respect. If I don't start it, who will?

The source has to be my own attitude, an open mind and a loving heart. Out with the negativity! Sometimes I look around the room and I think to myself that inside each person I see is a child, striving to understand their world, a hope to make it better and a need for self-actualization (dorky phrase, I know, but I don't know a better one).

This view helps me get past my own negative reaction to the oneupmanship games, the tantrums, the sullen silences around me. It is possible to transform the negative energy into its positive aspect--but difficult.

Right now, before everyone gets here, I'm going to take a few minutes to meditate.