Life sometimes unfolds in ways you never could have anticipated or imagined. Even the most carefully laid plans can be turned upside down by something totally unforeseen.

When that happens, you could moan, complain, yell, scream, throw things and dive into a fog of self pity. But none of that would bring you anything of value.

When one of life's unpleasant surprises comes along, you may be tempted to use it as an excuse for becoming depressed, despondent, and giving up. But do you really want to choose to be miserable and ineffective?

Instead, realize that a positive response is every bit as possible and realistic as a negative one, and a whole lot more beneficial. When events knock you off balance, use the occasion not as an excuse to give up, but rather as a reason to push forward with even more determination.

When a ship gets blown off course to the east, a good captain will steer the vessel back to the west. In the same way, when life pushes you in a negative direction, your best response is to push back even more positively than before.

When an unpleasant surprise comes along, that's a great time for you to create a surprise of your own. Surprise the world with how positive you can be, and everyone will quickly be moving forward again.