Accept responsibility/View problems as challenges

I've combined these two habits of life-long learners because in my mind they go hand in hand. Somewhere along the way, one hopes their child will learn to accept responsibility, admit guilt, fess up...but oh, there are times when the best of us would just like to point a finger and say, "Jimmy did it."

Years ago, it was the habit of a former director to invite library board members to the Committee of Thirteen (Administrative Council) meetings. One board member fully embraced the tenets of the Power of Positive Thinking and talked quite a bit about the idea of viewing problems as challenges. He introduced us to his family's way of cutting down on negativity - the Neggie Jar. Members of his family had to put a quarter in the jar every time they were negative, abrupt, or if they cursed or said other unkind things. Our director liked the idea of having us all read the same book and share the ideas put forth. We read How to Win Friends and Influence People, The Power of Positive Thinking and other classics.