The world needs more optimists

There are a lot of struggles and stressors in the world today. Even during a time of orchestrated happiness - the holiday season - we manage to take the joy and add a challenge to it, starting with today, known around the world as Black Friday.

The origins of the term Black Friday are debatable, but as a small business owner, I've always believed it to be the day that businesses go from red to black on their accounting ledgers. I know that the weekend following Thanksgiving, as well as the week following Christmas, would always make the difference for my consumer electronics and major appliance store.

But it is that kind of shopping expectation that makes our lives commercial rather than traditional and in fact, changes our traditions to mean something different than our grandparents and others who have come before us. The current culture is a shopping-frenzied culture.

In an effort to stave off the frenzy, I suggest something different. Instead of buying your way into your loved ones hearts, this year, give your time to a worthy cause. #Shareoptimism with those around you by telling positive stories and elevating spirits instead of depleting wallets. When you gather around the Christmas tree, enjoy one another's company, wisdom and wit.

The world needs more #optimists. #Optimists are individuals who share hope and a positive vision. They think only of the best, work only for the best and expect only the best and the crazy thing is, with such an attitude, they achieve only the best. Yes, the world needs more #optimists. Why not start with you?

The world needs more optimists

I'm traveling this weekend for Optimist International. As part of the preparation for serving as an International Vice President, the organization hosted a "Coaches Clinic" where the leadership team shared their individual game plans for encouraging growth within their region. We spoke of how important a communications plan was to success and for most, social media was a key component of their plans. Of course, I encouraged the use of blogs in order for more people to share their enthusiasm for belonging to an Optimist Club. It is an avenue that I will promote throughout the year.

Of special interest to me was a program, or push if you will, to build mission driven Optimist Clubs. Can you guess what the mission is? I am happy to report that the mission is optimism. What is the one thing that your Optimist Club brings to the community that is not provided by anyone else?

A positive outlook.

Many organizations provide services for children. Many organizations perform projects and community service that make their communities a better place to live.  However, only the Optimist Club starts first with a feeling of hope and optimism and we do that better than anyone else. That's a mission that should be shared with others.

Mission driven Optimist Clubs will encourage the start-up of new Optimist Clubs that put optimism at the top of the list of services they provide to their communities and that in itself is a positive thing. It will help deliver the brand message that many have so long struggled to define. Putting optimism first will lead to more members, happier communities and provide a sense of purpose among members far and wide. We need more Optimists. Won't you join an Optimist Club today?

Please click here to find an Optimist Club near you or send me a message and I will help you start a new Optimist Club in your community.

Bixby Optimist Club goes fishing

Fishing derbies are a popular Optimist Club activity. Where else can you teach traditional values and patience, and enjoy the outdoors at the same time? The latest Optimist Club to share a video with me about their fishing experience was the Optimist Club of Bixby, Oklahoma. Hope you enjoy!

Columbia Downtown Optimist Club celebrates 75 years

The Downtown Optimist Club of Columbia, Missouri has invested more than $1 million in its community. And if that's not worthy of a celebration by itself, this certainly is. This year, the club is also celebrating its 75th Anniversary.

Over the years, the Downtown Optimist Club has sponsored many activities including the annual Soap Box Derby, bicycle safety event and essay contest. On a large scale, the club was instrumental in the creation of Rock Bridge Memorial State Park.

Like all Optimist Clubs, the Downtown Optimist Club of Columbia gives special attention to projects that help children. "We focus on children because we feel like if we can help them early, they won't have problems later," said Gary Anderson, board member. "They will have a sense of who they are and what they're doing if we support them."

Additionally, the club gives attention to its members and the community by encouraging them to live by the Optimist Creed. For 75 years, they have always endeavored to be strong, optimistic, cheerful, and to bring those feelings to everyone they meet.

The world needs more optimists

Last Sunday, I began to notice the #optimists hashtag on Twitter. Optimistically, I clicked hoping to find Optimist Clubs front and center and getting the attention they so well deserve. But what I found was the UCLA website honoring the class they are calling The Optimists.

The Optimists is a collection of remarkable celebrity stories that began with an education at UCLA. Included are filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola, athlete Jackie Joyner-Kersee, baseball player Jackie Robinson, actor James Dean and Vinton Cerf, who is recognized as one of the founding fathers of the internet, among others.

According to the campaign, optimists see how to overcome barriers and that's what sets them apart from others. They are dreamers that do more than dream, and achievers who don't want to famous, but do want to be great.



Does the spirit of the service clubs formed under the Optimist International brand share similar qualities with The Class of Optimists from UCLA?

I think so for in every project performed by an Optimist Club, there is a sense of greatness that passes from adults to children and continues to radiate outward into the community, making our neighborhoods safe and nurturing. When adults care enough to share their positive dreams, they embolden themselves and empower others to reach for more.

Yes, the spirit of optimism is all around us. Not every student will have the opportunity to attend UCLA, but every person has the opportunity to join an Optimist Club.

Go ahead. Be an Optimist. Visit an Optimist Club near you today and join with others to make your community a better place to live.

With your commitment, you can help students, like the individuals who are the UCLA Optimists once were, prepare to fulfill their dreams.