Merry Christmas from Experience Optimism

Christmas day brings joy to many; however, as optimists, we must remember to wish, share and experience the blessings of the day throughout the year.

From Experience Optimism, may your celebration continue and inspire you and yours to hope for all that is good in the world to be found and enjoyed by all.

Relationships matter long past the holiday season

It's not really a Christmas story, but I thought it was something we might want to think about at this time of year.

As we gather together with friends and family to celebrate the season, it's important that we know that we can trust on these people not only at the holidays, but all through the year.

Relationships matter. As recorded by the longest behavioral study in history, octagenarians with positive, trusting relationships were found to be the happiest. Watch the video to learn more.

 

Students earn points to buy gifts for others

It's Christmastime around the world and for Optimist Clubs that means Christmas Tree sales, Breakfast with Santa and Shop with a Cop activitities, among many more traditional and non-traditional projects to help bring joy to the lives of children. Well here's a project that teaches discipline while bringing meaning to the season.

On December 21, 2015 at Horace Mann Elementary School in Sioux City, South Dakota, the students went on a shopping spree for Christmas gifts. The twist? They purchased the gifts with points they had earned in class during the semester. According to teacher Jaci Mowinkel, the points are given for completing homework, following directions, replacing their books when finished and other tasks that are often hard especially for students with behavioral issues.

Now of course there is another twist to this Christmas story. Normally, the students earn points as an award for themselves, but this time, they used the points to procure Christmas presents for others. Now that's the meaning of the season.

The Optimist Club of Sioux City was there to help wrap the gifts. Members help purchase the merchandise carried in the store throughout the year.

Please click here to enjoy the video of the story at KDLT News Today.