January 19, 2010

International Optimism Day


Did you know that yesterday was known around the world as Blue Monday?  According to newspaper reports and even psychology magazines, the third Monday in January is depressing because of the distance from Christmas, the distance from New Years and the lingering anxiety we feel over the debt we've incurred and the resolutions we won't keep. 

According to Wikipedia, Blue Monday was first identified  as part of a travel marketing campaign.  Nonetheless, I found an article from UK Telegraph that would do us all good to listen to every day.  According to a group of Brownies asked for their input on how to avoid the blues, they suggested "Imagine you are on holiday on a tropical island, dress up or borrow your mother's clothes, build snowmen, write to friends and family, and restart your new year's resolution if you've already broken it."

Simple distractions such as those supplied by the children can allow our creativity to refresh and our motivation to accelerate.  You are probably wondering, where is the Optimist Club story here?  Well, it's not Optimist International as we know it, but instead the Optimists Society of Great Britain have declared the third Monday in January to be International Optimism Day.

I like it.  Let's think about adopting it in North America. Are you with me?   

Categories

alabama alberta anguilla arizona arkansas arts B.W.I. barbados british columbia california canada day cayman islands ccdhh celebrations change charitable Christmas Trees childhood cancer campaign childhood literacy childhood wellness campaign children citizenship college colorado communication community building community development community service do the right thing donation doodle 4 google drug abuse easter education enchantment engagement essay contest experience optimism Facebook faith fellowship festival fishing fitness florida food drive football friend of youth friendship fundraiser fundraising generation gap georgia good government grand cayman gratitude Halloween happiness hawaii health and welfare healthy club checklist holiday hope idaho illinois indiana inspiration internet safety iowa iron eyes jamaica jay leno join an optimist club jooi joy junior golf kansas keep america beautiful kentucky leadership louisiana maine manitoba marketing maryland membership mentor michigan minnesota mississippi missouri Montana motivation music sunday n carolina n dakota nebraska new jersey new mexico new optimist club new york ohio oklahoma ontario opportunity optimism optimist club optimist clubs optimist creed optimist international optimist international convention optimist international foundation optimistic story of the day oratorical contest oregon outreach partnerships patriotism pennsylvania playground pnw district promotion public relations quebec quotes recognition recycling respect respect for law s carolina scholarship school supplies schools service clubs share optimism social media south carolina South Dakota st. maarten stories success talent show teachers Ted tennessee testimonials texas traditions twitter virginia volunteers w. virginina washington website wisconsin young adult youth appreciation youth safety youth sports