Dear Maggie,

I try to stay positive, and to keep an upbeat approach to life. I don’t love my job, but I’m determined to make the best of it until something better comes along. It’s really hard, though, because the people I work with are just so negative! Not all of them, but it seems like most of them are. All they ever talk about is the bad economy or the swine flu or whatever horrendous thing they saw on the news most recently. It’s tough to stay positive in the face of all of that. How do I manage it?

Signed, Smiling at the Pouters

Dear Smiling,

You’re doing exactly the right thing. You know that the better job you’re wanting will come to you faster if you make the best of where you are now. You’re staying positive. You’re on the right track.