Adventure begins in an Optimist Club

I love to travel. I have recently returned from a month-long vacation to Spain and Italy and it was amazing. Visiting sites, like the Montserrat Monestary and the Leaning Tower of Pisa, that were built in 985 and 1065 respectively, is awe-inspiring. Perhaps even more amazing are the many tours to the museums where one can see the magnificent works of great artists and sculptors like Michelango and Donatello, among others. I can't begin to express the beauty of the churches where looking at the floor is as wondrous as looking at the alter and ceiling. An adventure awaits at every turn.

At home in the USA, we have beauty and wonder, too; but our history is just not as old. We make up for it in experiences that we share every day.

For me, some of the greatest experiences have been had by sharing optimism with others in the pursuit of bringing out the best in youth, community and ourselves as members of an Optimist Club.

What we do today as Optimist Club members helps preserve our legacy so perhaps in hundreds of years visitors my find our communities as inspiring as we find Europe today.

Won't you help us preserve our culture? Join an Optimist Club and get involved by finding an Optimist Club at the following links.

Click here to find an Optimist Club near you.
Click here if I might help you start a new Optimist Club in your community.
Click here to be a Friend of Optimists.

Offer the world your best

Eight years ago, I was elated on this day because the United States had elected Barack Obama to lead it into the future with hope and change and all types of promises that get made in during the election cycle. I knew his promises were overly idealistic, yet I anxiously awaited to see how many could be fulfilled.

The past eight years have been good. Following the market decline in 2008 and the ongoing nature of the war in the Middle East, good is probably all that we could hope for.

Now we have elected a new president that wants to make America great again. President Obama has set the stage and given us the opportunity before us to do just that.

On this day, a day that many are calling historic, I encourage each of you to make it your mission to build a society that is hopeful, inclusive and big-hearted.

Whether you live in the United States, in North America or somewhere else in the world, we all  deserve the respect that such a society would foster. And I truly believe that respect will lead to the collaboration that sets all other plans in motion and allows each of us to seek our potential and fulfill our dreams. 

I ask you to move forward with purpose, my friends. Move forward with optimism and kindness and always, give the world your best. 

Vote for the United States of America

It is November 8, 2016 - the day that citizens of the United States make their choice for the next president who will lead the country and the world for four or more years. It has been an ugly journey to this point in the election with candidates that do not seem worthy, in my opinion, of the highest office in our land and arguably in the world.

I believe both Mr. Trump and Ms. Clinton have flaws, too many to mention. I believe both have strengths and pray that integrity rises to the top of those strengths for the winner and the runner-up. Our nation's dialogue needs to change. We must respect one another and all people and cultures of the world. We must be wise in order to use our powers for good.

This is my limited plea to you to make your voice heard. Vote today and then set to work in your community to ensure we live in a safe and progressive society where differences can be expressed and collaboration can be shared without shame. Don't vote for a candidate that you minimally hope will win. Vote today, and every day, for the United States of America.