Oscars and optimism

One of my favorite television events will take place this weekend. On Sunday, March 2, 2014 the 86th Academy Awards will be broadcast along with all the pomp and glamour that one would imagine from Hollywood.

Every year, I try to see every nominated film. It's not always easy to do in Idaho, but worth it. Rarely do I choose the winner. That's probably because, for me, the emotional response outweighs the appreciation of the craft. But it doesn't prevent me from cheering for my chosen recipient up until and beyond the point that the winners name is announced.

That's optimism for you. To be able to cheer passionately for something so far removed from everyday life and to hope for the success of others who live so far beyond average means signifies hope in our country for what might be. Once we put our minds to something, we can accomplish our goal.

When I saw this homage to the best actress Academy Award winners dresses, I knew I had to share it here. You see, I wanted to be able to come back to it and to take an occasional vacation into the style shown by the leading ladies throughout the years. The heritage is breathtaking. Don't you agree?

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Courtesy of: Mediarun

Empowered with vision

What better way to empower yourself than with vision?

The quote below, from @Lifehack and shared this morning on Facebook by Guy Kawasaki, spoke to me in a special way and like a good social media post, it did its job. It got me to share.

 Similarly inspiring quotes and photos can be found at MotivationGrid.com in a post titled "10 Sentences That Can Change your Life," and while they are all good, this one rises above the rest.

 What makes it so great? I think that it gives you permission to rise. Often we fear that our friends and acquaintances will resent us for what appears to be social-climbing when we seek out promotions and new experiences. With permission, we can overcome the fear. Plus, the quote also explains that even though rising up is self-serving, it is a personal goal to improve oneself. It is not a cry for praise.

"Climb mountains not so the world can see you, but so you can see the world." Start climbing today.

Post by Guy Kawasaki.

The Optimist Creed, always

Over the years, I've discovered that Optimist Club meetings vary in style in substance. Some offer informative speakers so that Optimist Club members can learn about what's happening in their communities, among other things. Others focus on business and the Optimist Club members make plans for how they will serve more people and more causes. A few focus on fun and tell jokes and share social time with their community of friends.

However, one thing remains constant. No matter where you travel, an Optimist Club meeting will always begin or end with the Optimist Creed. In the following video, the Optimist Club of Apple Valley, CA shares its rendition of the Optimist Creed featuring the most important part of any club: its people. Enjoy. 

Ice fishing: it's a good thing it's cold

A time-honored tradition was observed by the Wausau Optimist Club on February 9, 2014 when Optimist Club members and young anglers hit the ice for the annual Optimist Youth Fisheree. It's the 40th year that Optimist Club has taken kiddos and their families ice fishing.

According to DuWayne Witter, co-chair, "It's a nice outing and even though it 's been cold the past couple years, you get to go out and do something and not just sit in the house." 

WFXS, MyFoxWausau - News and Weather for Wausau, WI

Getting out and being active leads to positive thoughts and good mental health. And that's just one more reason to belong to an Optimist Club. Be an optimist; it makes you healthy!

90 years and counting

When I've been absent from my blog for any period of time, I always reenter with a bit of apprehension for I feel that I should write about something terribly poignant. Perhaps I should describe what has been consuming my days so thoroughly that I haven't had time to write. Or perhaps I should describe what I've learned in my ten days of silence.

Either might make for a diary of cathartic confessions for me; however, I doubt that the topics would, at least at this point, provide entertaining or educational value to my readers.

Instead, let me highlight something that I found to be more interesting today:

The Optimist Club of Sheboygan, Wisconsin is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year.

That's a long time to be serving one's community with community service projects that bring positive thoughts and change to light. Some of its signature events involve community volunteers while the Optimist Club serves as the coordinator. Specifically, the Back 2 School Basics program began in 1996 and individuals have supported the project with donations every year since.

In a return of support, the Optimist Club partners with others to present the Children's Literacy Project and the Making Spirits Bright Christmas light project. Club members also make up a Relay for Life team and serve as Salvation Army bell ringers.

To remain relevant in a community for 90 years indicates the flexible and engaged membership. They are connected to their community in a way that lets them fill needs that come to light. More important, they are able to adapt and change to meet the demands of a growing and changing community. We wish the Sheboygan Optimist Club 90 more years of service.

Post by Optimist Club of Sheboygan.