Service is our message, our mission

Today is Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday. In the US, it is a day to celebrate his life and

accomplishments and to acknowledge the importance of inclusion and the civil rights movement. It has also become a day of service and an opportunity to encourage people to get involved in their communities. Many of King's inspirational speeches have been reduced to memorable quotes. Among them are some of my favorites:

• Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?'
• Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.
• The time is always right to do what is right.
• Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.

This year, I've added another to my list of favorites. For me, it explains why we get involved in our community by joining with others in a service club. King said, 

"Everyone can be great because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and verb agree to serve...You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love."

Service above self sets the tone for all I strive to accomplish as a club, district and international leader for Optimist International. It is my hope to inspire others to organize and make a positive impact on their communities by analyzing needs and making plans to satisfy those needs. As citizens, it is our responsibility to make our communities better.

In his farewell address to the nation, US President Barack Obama expressed the same idea. He spoke of the most important office in a democracy: Citizen. He said,

"It falls to each of us to be those those anxious, jealous guardians of our democracy; to embrace the joyous task we've been given to continually try to improve this great nation of ours. Because for all our outward differences, we, in fact, all share the same proud title, the most important office in a democracy: Citizen.  Citizen. 

So, you see, that's what our democracy demands. It needs you. Not just when there's an election, not just when your own narrow interest is at stake, but over the full span of a lifetime. If you're tired of arguing with strangers on the Internet, try talking with one of them in real life.  If something needs fixing, then lace up your shoes and do some organizing.  If you're disappointed by your elected officials, grab a clipboard, get some signatures, and run for office yourself.  Show up. Dive in. Stay at it.

Sometimes you'll win. Sometimes you'll lose. Presuming a reservoir of goodness in other people, that can be a risk, and there will be times when the process will disappoint you. But for those of us fortunate enough to have been a part of this work, and to see it up close, let me tell you, it can energize and inspire."

President Obama's message was, of course, aimed at the citizens of the United States. I believe his message, and Martin Luther King, Jr.'s message before him, apply to the world. We must be involved in our communities. We must take responsibility for our own well-being.We must help make the world better for others.

I recommend sharing that service with friends as part of an Optimist Club. Together we can. Together we will.

Click here to find an Optimist Club near you and join.

Empowered with vision

What better way to empower yourself than with vision?

The quote below, from @Lifehack and shared this morning on Facebook by Guy Kawasaki, spoke to me in a special way and like a good social media post, it did its job. It got me to share.

 Similarly inspiring quotes and photos can be found at MotivationGrid.com in a post titled "10 Sentences That Can Change your Life," and while they are all good, this one rises above the rest.

 What makes it so great? I think that it gives you permission to rise. Often we fear that our friends and acquaintances will resent us for what appears to be social-climbing when we seek out promotions and new experiences. With permission, we can overcome the fear. Plus, the quote also explains that even though rising up is self-serving, it is a personal goal to improve oneself. It is not a cry for praise.

"Climb mountains not so the world can see you, but so you can see the world." Start climbing today.

Post by Guy Kawasaki.

Inspire with why

Have you ever heard of the Golden Circle? Simon Sinek, the author of Start With Why explains that leaders such as Martin Luther King and the Wright Brothers were successful because they communicated from the inside out. They didn't just say what to do or how to something, they explained why they wanted to do something and why you should want to too. Sinek calls this process the Golden Circle.

When you get to why, your intrinsic motivations inspire you to give more than time to your endeavors. You will act with blood and sweat and tears. If you can speak to others' intrinsic motivations, you will inspire them to do the things that inspire them and according to Sinek, together, we can change the world.

As this blog focuses on membership and participation in service clubs, I thought that Sinek's TedxTalk, "How great leaders inspire action," might give you some ideas for recruiting more people to your cause.




In social media, we know that in order to get readers and followers, we have to be relevant. Our service clubs need the same mindset. There are so many causes, ideas and opportunities participating for our attention, relevance isn't always obvious and extrinsic motivations or rewards are often substituted for what is considered good behavior or actions.

If we rethink why we do the things we do and look for meaning, we'll find that we don't need external rewards. When our actions make a difference, that becomes the reward; and it feels good. I believe that we should always help others find their intrinsic motivations so they can feel good too.

Where would you go if you just won the Super Bowl?

Glenns Ferry, Idaho is home to 1,427 people. According to the Idaho Department of Commerce and Labor, 1,100 of those people are in the labor force. I don't think that includes native son Korey Hall who goes to work in Wisconsin - Green Bay, Wisconsin to be exact.

As a fullback on the 2011 Super Bowl Champion Green Bay Packers team, Korey Hall is now among an elite group of men who get to wear the Super Bowl ring. And less than one week after the victory, Korey is back in Glenns Ferry taking time to relax and feel at home. This video shows how proud the community is of the young football player and why they are not surprised that he came home.



As much as I seem to write about football on this blog, my readers probably think I'm a crazy fan. The opposite is true; football is probably one of my least favorite sports. However, since moving to Idaho nearly twelve years ago, I have learned how much the game has meant to so many who grew up here and played through the Optimist Youth Football program. The Boise Optimist Club started the program in 1949 and tens of thousands of children have learned sportsmanship and discipline through football over the years. That was especially important when Idaho had less than one million residents, only twenty-one years ago. Football was the athletic program for many youngsters who didn't have programs in their schools.

And of course it is easy to cheer on the Boise State Broncos, with Coach Petersen teaching the young men how to be more than just football players. He teaches them to be good students and good people, involved at school and in the community. He teaches them respect, encourages them to achieve the extraordinary, and above all to pursue balance in their careers.

So no, it should be no surprise that Korey Hall is at home today.  It is part of the life balance that we all crave. I think it is important that this young man can show that quality to others.

What are you doing to provide an example of fulfillment to your children or friends? Are you comfortable being at home with your family or are you always searching for the next big thing? Please comment and let us know what you think.

Video credit: KTVB.com

Don't be passionately unbalanced

Yes, the projects performed by Optimist Clubs around the world get me excited.  I passionately believe that when individuals come together to do good things in their community, they are really extending themselves to improve their own attitude and station in life as well as the quality of life for all.

I loosely say good things because the activities performed by an Optimist Club are varied, from two-person projects to programs that involve two thousand-persons and beyond. However, what is constant in all activities is passion, the willingness to make a difference and the desire to be involved.

I recently came across this video produced by Chow.com highlighting Galco's Soda Pop Stop and passionate store owner and beverage connoisseur John Ness. It's categorized as obsessive and I will issue a friendly warning: it's probably much more than you want to know about soda pop. In fact, you probably won't miss anything if you stop watching at about four minutes in.



I offer this clip as an example of how an idea can take over and direct our lives, but it can also serve as a reminder that it is within our power to choose not to duplicate the efforts of others. As Mr. Ness explains, we don't all have to sell Pepsi when a larger store already able to delivers it to consumers at the best price, or to reemphasize his lament, at a price that is lower than his cost. His passion led him to a niche market, but his business acumen is what allows him to succeed as he pursues his passion.

As Optimist Clubs, we often choose projects that are easy to duplicate and then we wonder why our club didn't get noticed or why our attendance or participation was low. Then we are disproportionately disappointed because we were so passionately engaged in our mission. Conversely, a club might start a program, implement it for years, and then abruptly hand it off to another group because the individual who was passionate about the project is ready to move on. And sadly, some clubs choose to carry on projects, like the Santa Pal Program in North Carolina that the Optimist Club is passionate about but may no longer be relevant or sustainable due to the economy or other factors.

What is the secret to longevity and success? 
Balance. Optimist Clubs, like business owners, must find ways to balance their activities that will allow them to be productive and grow.  I believe the easiest way to find balance is to never do anything alone. Entrepreneurs often believe they are the best person to lead their business. Likewise, passionate committee chairpersons often believe they are the only one that can successfully carry out their project.

Both are wrong. The most essential first step to achieving balance in your life is to engage others; engage others in your passion, project and purpose. Don't merely assign tasks and supervise their actions. Ask for collaboration and make decisions together. Balance your passion and you will achieve success.

Take our YouTube star Mr. Ness as an example. What is the likelihood that someone shares his passion for the different varieties of soda and has the skill to run a successful business? Slim, I would say, unless he is willing to engage them now, nurture their interest, and help them develop their skills.

If you follow my suggestion and engage early with others, you will be pleasantly surprised to learn they will celebrate with you today, help you revise your direction when needed, and carry on when you cannot be there.

The wisdom of Winnie the Pooh

Winnie the Pooh has some pretty awesome friends. I think we all know Eeyore, Tigger, Piglet and Christopher Robin and if you think about it long enough, you'll probably remember that they live in the Hundred Acre Wood.

First published in 1926, tales of Winnie the Pooh are children's stories that have withstood the test of time. What makes the characters so lovable? Could it be their vulnerability? Perhaps it is their peaceful journey, or their quiet understanding as they frolic from one folly to the next. Certainly it is their friendship as this Music Sunday video displays.

I also think that Winnie the Pooh has remained a timeless character because of the wisdom of author, A.A. Milne. He was able to bring these characters to life with love and loyalty and the quotes of Winnie the Pooh continue to inspire today. Consider:

"If you live to be 100, I hope to live to 100 minus one day so I never have to live a day without you." 

"If there ever comes a day we can't be together keep me in your heart, I'll be there forever." 

"You can't stay in your corner of the Forest waiting for others to come to you. You have to go to them sometimes." 

"Before beginning a Hunt, is is wise to ask someone what you are looking for before you begin looking for it." 

"Rivers know this: there is no hurry. We shall get there some day." 

As we mature, the stories of our childhood continue to teach and inspire us. What we read at a very early age may come back at the oddest times, when we are faced with a struggle or choice.  It is because of our optimism that we are open to such flashes of wisdom, even from a round, stuffed bear with a proclivity for getting his head stuck in a honey jar and his group of friends who are always willing to help.

My Thanksgiving wish: Please share the spirit of Optimism

Inspiring optimism is my favorite thing.  Sharing stories and experiences so that others can learn, grow and do more is what makes our world compassionate and progressive.  This one-minute video is a perfect way to pass the spirit of optimism forward.  Please share it with your friends.  Optimism...pass it on. 

The Foundation for a Better Life is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization also known as Values.com.   They are privately funded and non-commercial. Their sole objective is to promote positive values, using print and broadcast media.

Optimist Clubs - entertainment or experience?

Have you ever given much thought to your decision making process? Do you think before your act or do you just reach for more and more, bigger and better? This video talks about choosing simplicity and savoring the experience instead of placing value on how it was delivered.

Optimist Clubs frequently fall into the delivery mindset. They choose projects that entertain a large number of kids without stopping to think about the experience that the child is having. Many times, the project becomes so large, the club spends most of its time on administration and less time with the children.

Don't let this happen to you. Choose your Optimist Club projects with quality time in mind. Children enjoy being entertained, but they yearn for attention. Children like to win, but they hunger for the reassurance that leads them to achieve. Your Optimist Club is unique as the only service club whose mission is to work hands-on with children and bring out the best in kids. That is how we share and experience optimism.