Keep a Positive Outlook -- A View from the World of SpongeBob

SpongeBob, Squarepants.  Anyone with children has likely seen this gem of a cartoon.  In my opinion, it’s one of the greatest ever created.  If you’ve seen it, bear with me while I introduce the rest of our readers  The setting is at the bottom of the ocean, in a place call “Bikini Bottom”.  SpongeBob Squarepants is a sea sponge that lives in a pineapple house.  While they never go into his age, you assume he is around 16-25 years old.  (human years)  He is old enough to hold down a job and live on his own, but young enough to have the innocence of youth.  He is the eternal optimist.  Despite the negative world around him, SpongeBob and his best friend Patrick Starfish live a “happy-go-lucky” life.  Living next door to SpongeBob is the eternal pessimist, Squidward.  SpongeBob and Patrick believe that Squidward is their friend, but Squidward wants nothing to do with them.  They continue to invite him to take part in their many wacky adventures, but the grouchy Squidward refuses. 

SpongeBob works for a restaurant called the “Krusty Krab”.  His boss, “Mr. Krabbs”, is as greedy as they come, but SpongeBob continues to work as hard as he can for “The love of the job”.  He is the cook at the Krusty Krab, and considers every order an ultimate creation.  The customers at the Krusty Krab are mostly ungrateful, yet SpongeBob treats them like gold.  Squidward, who also works there as the cashier, treats them all with the disrespect they deserve. 

Another character is Plankton.  Plankton is the arch-enemy of Mr. Krabbs.  He runs an old run-down restaurant that no one patronizes.  For many years, Plankton has been trying to steal the secret formula for the Krabby Patty sandwich, in hopes of gaining all of the customers. 

There are other characters, but I believe you can understand the general theme.  Every day is a challenge for SpongeBob and Patrick, simply because the entire world around them is grouchy, pessimistic, untrustworthy, and greedy.  They continuously try to do right in their very unforgiving world.  Incredibly, they succeed with ease.  The losers of this battle are always the pessimistic grouches, the greedy, the dishonest, and the complainers. 

I’m not sure what the creator had in mind when the show was written, but from my perspective, it’s a slightly exaggerated version of real life.

* Squidward is NEVER happy, and lives a life of solitude.

* Mr. Krabbs has money, but is never satisfied.  His daughter considers him a failure because he still doesn’t buy her enough.

* Plankton’s only friend is a computer because of his complete dishonesty and untrustworthiness.

* As a general rule, all the residents of Bikini Bottom are very unhappy and uncaring.

* Despite the negativity, SpongeBob and Patrick are always happy and content.  They live life to the fullest, and enjoy almost every minute.

We could all learn a lesson from this.  Realistically, no one is happy all the time.  But keeping a positive outlook is essential.  The world around us is tough...the economy, the gloom and doom reports, the negativity.  It seems there is always something to make us lose focus.  The key is to fight through all of this.

Regular doses of motivation and positive thoughts are essential.  This is one of the reasons for “Motivational Mondays”. 

Over the years, I’ve compiled many quotes, tips, and techniques from some of the greatest motivational speakers of all time.   I also write many of my own thoughts and ideas based on my own experiences.  Life is never easy for anyone, and mine is no exception.  I found that inspiring and motivational thoughts and actions have helped me through the toughest of times. 

By sharing, I simply hope to help anyone who may be in need for a little “pick-me-up”.