I've always thought, and mentioned before, that we should promote an International Day of Optimism.
If I were Optimist International, that would be one of my top priorities. Consider the opportunity to spread joy and positive thinking to the world. Consider the opportunity to reach out to people of all ages and skills with a message of hope. Consider the opportunity to do something organized and very different from other service clubs as a primary focus of the organization.
Optimist International is a service organization made up of adult women and men who work together in Optimist Clubs to perform projects that make a difference in their local communities. There is a special emphasis on programs that recognize, involve or benefit children.
Approximately ten years ago, Optimist International decided they needed a focus program that resonated with the general public and the organization put together the Childhood Cancer Campaign. A bond was formed with Johns Hopkins University and Optimist Clubs were asked to help fund research to eradicate childhood cancer.
The program, well intentioned and well loved by some, was not carried out equally throughout the organization. Some clubs raised money and sent it in to be distributed through the campaign. Others collected money and donated it to local cancer funds and some even combined into district teams and distributed money to regional organizations to help children and families with the burdens that a cancer diagnosis gives to a family.
All good pursuits, but did they really fit the mission of being "focused?" More likely, they were doing what Optimist Clubs do best: supporting a local cause that was brought to their attention.
The Optimist International Board of Directors met earlier this month and the questions emerged again. Should we have a focus program? If so, what should it be?
Some, including myself, were quick to reply that we could move away from the cancer mission. I do not believe that Optimist Clubs will ever give up on meeting the needs of children in their local communities; just as an organization we can use our collective influence to bring attention to another cause.
This is the time to take up Optimism as our mission. Optimism is defined as a general tendency to expect a favorable outcome. What would happen if we all 'looked at the sunny side of everything and made our optimism come true?'*
What would an international program to increase optimism look like? Please share your thoughts here.
I will follow up with my thoughts in another post; I promise.
*A line from The Optimist Creed by Christian D. Larson.