Hypothesis:

The origins of my externally observed positive attitude come from my early experience of anxiety and efforts to survive, cope, and overcome said condition.

Background:

My earliest memory of anxiety was when I was eight years old; I was in the third grade. Two particular things I recall from that year.

I was bullied for the first couple months of that school year; the situation was resolved by my parents and the school principal, but the affect was I think permanent. I was vulnerable; I could be easily shaken.

I had to overcome tearful fear of speaking in front of other students, in front of others, an offer group, intentional.

Conclusion:

I believe my perceived positive attitude comes — and at this point that trait is indeed fundamental to who and how I am — it all stems from my struggle with anxiety, my response to that condition.

Even more than fifty years later I still find myself in some of those same feelings and struggles.

It goes back a long way.