Share-a-Smile Optimist Club shares selfies

According to research, taking selfies and sharing them with friends helps increase happiness.

Go ahead and laugh - it's okay - and then think about it. We've often been told that smiling helps us improve our mood until we feel the emotion. What is a selfie? Hopefully, it's a picture of you wearing a smile.

The research was conducted by Yu Chen, Gloria Mark and Sanna Ali in “Promoting Positive Affect through Smartphone Technology,” published July 4, 2016 by the Psychology of Well-Being.

Chen says, "Our research showed that practicing exercises that can promote happiness via smartphone picture taking and sharing can lead to increased positive feelings for those who engage in it.”

The study was conducted with college students and the authors explained this information was good for students to know as they return to school. Taking selfies can help reduce the stress from many different pressures they might feel.


The Share-a-Smile Optimist Club at Narrows Glen, Tacoma, Washington decided to give selfie-taking a try to see if increased happiness in a senior residence setting. We sure love to see the smiles!

Optimist International President honors Senator Bob Dole

Optimist International President Dave Bruns presents
Senator Bob Dole the "Honoring our Heroes" award.

Each year, Optimist Clubs are asked to choose at least one club member or a member of the community to be recognized for their unwavering optimism and commitment to the community's welfare. As with most projects, the name of the award and the criteria for receiving it can be of the Optimist Club's choosing.

This year, on behalf of Optimist International, International President Dave Bruns recognized an outstanding American with the Honoring our Heroes Award.






On September 17, 2016, President Bruns presented Senator Bob Dole with a plaque that recognized his service to our country, dedication as a Friend of Optimists and his efforts to "Bring out the Best" in the youth of Kansas, the nation and the world.

Thank your for your service to our country Senator Dole.

It's an Honor to be ...

When September rolls around, Optimist Clubs begin their final march to the end of the administrative year. Some try to earn recognition for the service they have provided. Others say that they don't do what they do for awards.

This message is to remind every Optimist Club member that earning the Honor Club recognition is not about earning an award. It is merely an acknowledgement that your Optimist Club is fiscally sound and that it is living up to its promises to serve the community and advance the purposes of Optimist International around the world.

The needs of our individual communities vary, but the purposes do not. The purposes of Optimist International are:

• To develop optimism as a philosophy of life utilizing the tenets of the Optimist Creed
• To promote an active interest in good government and civic affairs
• To inspire respect for the law; to promote patriotism and work for international accord and friendship among all people
• To aid and encourage the development of youth, in the belief that the giving of one’s self in service to others will advance the well-being of humankind, community life and the world

Don't you agree, the world would be a better place if we were all living up to those purposes? 

On the anniversary of 9/11 - the most devastating terrorist attack to occur on United States soil - we honor those who lost their lives by reminding you that peace is within our reach. And first and foremost, we must work together to share optimism. With a positive attitude, and a little hard work and compromise, the rest will fall into place. Of this, I pray.