Focusing on the positive can help relations

Concert goers to hip-hop/jazz/funk/reggae artist Micheal Franti and Spearhead’s recent appearance at Spokane’s Knitting Factory as part of his “Power to the Peaceful” tour were treated to over two-and-a-half-hours of danceable music with good vibes.

Franti told his audience at one point that only about 10 percent of an individual’s personality involves negativity, while the remaining 90 percent is all about doing good things for others. And yet, we tend to let this 10 percent influence our interactions with others.

For instance, when someone does something incorrect at work, our critique of th...