A wish for spring

As the flowers emerge from their winter beds each year, spring offers new visions of hope.

Our fresh eyes scan the landscape to assess the beauty in our surroundings. On such days, we feel love for our families, love for our friends and love for our neighborhood, country and land.

All of this combines to present eternal optimism.

We are part of a world than regenerates itself.

We have unlimited potential to thrive in this world.

We have unique talents to share with those around us.

We have hope, love and optimism.

My wish for you - and for me - is that our hope, love and optimism will shine and grow throughout the year.

The best time to celebrate

Christmas day is less than one week away. You may have noticed this particular phenomenon  - every year, beginning in November and running through the end of the year, many people become filled with gratitude, and overcome with joy.  It's no doubt the holiday season that brings this sense of celebration to life. It makes going to work more interesting and coming home even more fulfilling. That sense of celebration fills us with anticipation, enthusiasm and hope. 

I have an idea. What if we promised ourselves to share this sense of joy throughout the year? What if we celebrated every day as if it were a special day? We would certainly experience optimism again and again. What a wonderful life it would be. 

US optimism formally began on the 4th of July

"Optimism is the foundation of courage." - Nicholas Murray Butler, American philosopher

With courage and resolve, on July 4, 1776, the United States formally declared independence from Great Britain with the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. I don't know if optimism was specifically on the signers' minds; however, the outcome was and has always been to foster a nation of hope. 

Happy Independence Day. 

Photo credit: Trumbull's Declaration of Independence, Wikimedia Commons 

Music Sunday: Don't Stop Believing

Rock of Ages, the musical, has moved from Broadway to the big screen and while Tom Cruise isn't really my idea of a rock star, I enjoyed the movie anyway. What was most enjoyable was the music of course. Featuring rock songs from the 80s, it was a trip back in time remembering the hopes and dreams of a college student as well as the angst and insecurity of the same.

Because of the opportunity for reflection, I believe that Journey's "Don't Stop Believing," belongs here at Experience Optimism as a choice for Music Sunday. Take a moment to recall your dreams. Are you living them now? Did your revise your college aspirations for something even better? Are you still full of hope? I hope so.

Here's to your dreams; big, bold and beautiful. Believe in them, work for them, and make them come true.

Welcome to 2012: Fly higher and further with optimism

Music Sunday at Experience Optimism chooses R. Kelly's "I Believe I Can Fly" to start off the new year. 

Welcome to 2012. There are some lovely sentiments being shared on social media sites today. Filled with optimism, our family, friends and others in our network are experiencing the optimism that a new year brings. Here is a sample: 

From Jan - " Happy January 1st 2012 everyone - Hope you have a supercalifragilisticexpialidocious first day of a new year." 

From Judi - " Wishing my friends a year of good health, much joy, a well paying job and 366 days of creating special memories. Friends are those who know our flaws, but care for & love us anyway. I am blessed to have so many in my life. Wish I could see & visit each of you this year. Know you are so often in my thoughts & prayers." 

From Dennis - "I am going to make 2012 the best because I am in control of it :)" 

From the PNW District - Optimist International - "Promise yourself to do good things!" 

From the Middleton Area Optimist Club - "In 2012, we are counting on you being an optimist." 

From Cherie - " May the 2012 me be more patient, healthier, kinder, more grateful, and a better me than the 2011."

And from me - "Let's laugh a lot, connect to friends, both old and new; and do one kind thing for someone else as often as possible."

It is always possible.