SpongeBob, my hero

SpongeBob SquarePants is my hero. The kids and I were having breakfast this morning, when Bianca, my nine-year-old daughter, brought up the subject of this crazy little cartoon character. “Daddy, is SpongeBob SqaurePants a real person?” It first made me laugh then it made me think. If SponeBob were a human being, this world would have been a better place. Seriously.
Here are four lessons SpongeBob SquarePants can teach us to get more joy from life.

Be the eternal optimist. The guy (or SpongeBob SquarePants, I should say) always sees the best in any situation. Your thinking really does shape your reality. And because SpongeBob looks for the best he finds it.

Value People. SpongeBob knows what friendship means. He loves his pals in Bikini Bottom, even Squidword “who is always cranky,” to borrow my son’s words. SpongeBob knows that respect and putting people first are two of the most important elements for strong relationships.

Be an original. SpongeBob is one of a kind. Too many among us are afraid to be ourselves. So we give up on our dreams to follow the crowd. Tragic. “To thine own self be true,” wrote Shakespeare. Have the courage to be your true — and greatest — you.
(Warren Buffet, chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, once said, “There can’t be two yous.”)

Laugh and Have fun. There is no point in being successful but sad. Yes, reach for the mountaintop. But enjoy the climb as well. Life wasn’t meant to be an ordeal. It was meant to be a celebration. So have a big-time fun as you chase — and catch — your most cherished dreams.

Robin Sharma is the author of The Greatness Guide (Jaico)