By Marge Eiseman
I haven't yet seen the movie "Yes Man" (and I probably won't, since Jim Carrey's energy is a bit much for me!), but it got me thinking about how we present ourselves to the world, and what factors into our essential nature.

I know people who are ruled by fear, who worry about things beyond their control and don't expect the best in any situation. Their default setting is "No!" They don't seek new experiences, and they don't see life as a blessing, or have a sense of how they could bring blessing into the world.

The Torah stories about Joseph and his brothers that we are reading now, and even into Exodus, show us people who say, "Gam zu l'tovah" (this too is for good). They encounter life as the unknown and unpredictable, and when they look back, even Joseph says to his brothers, you had to send me down into the pits so that I could rise to be in the position to save the whole family. Talk about being able to put a positive spin on it!

Or look at the people gathered at the foot of the mountain, who said, "We will do and we will understand." I know the midrash says they were being threatened with the mountain over their heads, but still, that's a pretty strong response of embracing the future.

I know I am blessed. I greet each day with thanks that I am still able to act for good in the world, to make a small difference and to connect with people. If I need reminders, they come at just the right moment! Fifty one years ago, my mom wrote in my baby book that I was born with a pleasant disposition, and just yesterday, someone told me that I have a buoyant spirit. You know what I say to that? Yes!!!

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