I got to poking through some of old things I'd saved and came across a wonderful little article from an issue of "Guideposts Magazine." It's by Arthur Gordon and is titled "The Rewards of Caring."

He tells story of how once, as a small boy, he was witness to a near-tragedy. At beach, a woman stepped off a sandbar into deep, swift water and panicked. At least 20 adults in bathing suits watched, apparently paralyzed, until suddenly a young man ran up, plunged in fully clothed, and brought woman out.

As Arthur Gordon described episode later to his parents, his admiration for young man was matched by contempt he felt for those who failed to act. She was drowning, and they didn't even seem to care.

His father looked at him thoughtfully and said, "The world often seems divided between those who care and those who don't care enough. But don't judge too harshly. It takes courage to care greatly."

It does take courage to care, to open your heart and react with sympathy or compassion or indignation or enthusiasm when it is easier--and sometimes safer--not to get involved. But people who take risk, who deliberately discard armor of indifference, make a tremendous discovery: The more things you care about, and more intensely you care,the more alive you become.

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2. Evolve optimism.

This EQ competency facilitates all others and accounts more for your success and happiness than any other. Optimistic people live longer, healthier lives, enjoy their successes more, and are more likely to fulfill their potential (Martin Seligman, Ph.D.). You can learn optimism.

3. Develop your flexibility.

Many excellent and satisfying goals are reached while you're on way to something else.

4. Use your interpersonal skills.

It isn't what you know so much as who you know. Develop strong bonds and other people will help you get where you want to go.

5. Build your resilience.