February 15, 2012

The world needs more optimists

Last Sunday, I began to notice the #optimists hashtag on Twitter. Optimistically, I clicked hoping to find Optimist Clubs front and center and getting the attention they so well deserve. But what I found was the UCLA website honoring the class they are calling The Optimists.

The Optimists is a collection of remarkable celebrity stories that began with an education at UCLA. Included are filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola, athlete Jackie Joyner-Kersee, baseball player Jackie Robinson, actor James Dean and Vinton Cerf, who is recognized as one of the founding fathers of the internet, among others.

According to the campaign, optimists see how to overcome barriers and that's what sets them apart from others. They are dreamers that do more than dream, and achievers who don't want to famous, but do want to be great.



Does the spirit of the service clubs formed under the Optimist International brand share similar qualities with The Class of Optimists from UCLA?

I think so for in every project performed by an Optimist Club, there is a sense of greatness that passes from adults to children and continues to radiate outward into the community, making our neighborhoods safe and nurturing. When adults care enough to share their positive dreams, they embolden themselves and empower others to reach for more.

Yes, the spirit of optimism is all around us. Not every student will have the opportunity to attend UCLA, but every person has the opportunity to join an Optimist Club.

Go ahead. Be an Optimist. Visit an Optimist Club near you today and join with others to make your community a better place to live.

With your commitment, you can help students, like the individuals who are the UCLA Optimists once were, prepare to fulfill their dreams.

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