By Diana M.

In a world where traffic is always jammed, coffee runs out precisely when you need it the most, and even the cat sometimes ignores you (yes, Tom, I’m talking to you!), there is one ray of sunshine that never lets anything bring her down: Linda.

Linda isn’t just a family friend – she’s the on-call consultant for complicated situations, the unofficial therapist, and, occasionally, the author of pep talks more effective than any pricey coaching session. The truth is, if I had to describe our relationship, it would sound like this: I was “adopted” by Linda with contagious enthusiasm. No interview, no trial period – she just took me in, with kindness and care, as if we’d known each other forever. That’s just how she is: if she feels you’re worth it, she takes you under her protective wing and never stops looking out for you – with warmth and laughter. And honestly, who wouldn’t want to be adopted by Linda?

Linda has a rare gift: she always finds the right words to lift your spirits. Not with syrupy sweetness but with healthy humor and a dose of optimistic realism. She never promises it will be easy, but she guarantees that every problem has a solution—or at least a funny anecdote to help you take things a bit easier.

I’ve learned a lot from her – how to see the glass half full (even when it’s almost empty), how not to take things personally (even when they clearly are), and, most importantly, a simple yet revolutionary principle: “When you don’t know what to do, be kind. It always works.” I had a vague, theoretical understanding of this before—the kind of idea you keep tucked in the back of your mind and apply occasionally when you’re feeling particularly zen. But since knowing Linda, I’ve started applying this rule with Swiss-watch consistency. And surprise – it works! With friends, family, co-workers, even with people who block your car in the parking lot – and, believe it or not, with Tom, who suddenly becomes affectionate when I use this advanced “be kind” technique (especially if it involves food rewards).

Linda isn’t naive—she knows the world isn’t all sunshine and rainbows and that sometimes, even if you’re kind, people won’t always respond the same way. But her perspective is simple and clear: “You do your part; the rest is up to the universe. ”And, surprisingly, she’s right – the universe seems to respond better to kindness than to grumbling.

But don’t think Linda stops there with her life lessons. Another brilliant strategy I’ve learned from her – one I use regularly when I sense “danger lurking” – is the “art of strategic onomatopoeia.” Yes, you heard that right. Let’s say you find yourself among people gossiping with the enthusiasm of a tabloid TV show, or someone is complaining seven times a minute about their boss, the weather, the neighbors, and the global crisis. Now, a normal person has two options: join the chorus of complaints or risk being labeled “the enemy” for not participating. But Linda? Well, Linda has a third ace up her sleeve: neutral, universally friendly onomatopoeia. When things get slippery, you throw in a well-placed “Wow!” – ambiguous enough to keep you out of trouble. If the story escalates, you can up the ante with an “Oh my God!” or, for dramatic effect, an “Unbelievable!” When things reach critical mass, nothing diffuses tension like a long, mysterious “Ooooooh!” It’s a foolproof strategy: you stay uninvolved but never seem unfriendly. Neutrality becomes an art form, and Linda is its undisputed master.

I admit, I was skeptical at first – but, thank goodness, I’ve used this technique countless times, and it has spectacularly saved me from conversations threatening to turn into swamps of negativity. It’s amazing how far you can go in life with a well-timed “Incredible!”

And there’s one more thing – no matter what we’re talking about, from existential dilemmas to cookie recipes – Linda always ends the conversation with a grand finale: a warm “I love you, baby!” that feels like a verbal hug. Seriously, how could you not love Linda? If she ran for president with that slogan, I’d vote for her in a heartbeat!

I could write an entire book about her life lessons and the small moments where her presence made all the difference—but until then, I’m just grateful to have her around, ready to offer a kind word, a hearty laugh, and, if needed, a survival strategy for any situation.

In conclusion, if there were an award for “applied optimism in everyday life,” Linda would win it hands down. And, true to her style, she’d accept it with a big smile and say, “the important thing is: when everything feels complicated, be kind. And if that doesn’t work… call me!”