Optimism breeds joy

John Baldoni is the chair of leadership and development at N2Growth. He has been recognized internationally as an educator and executive coach. In this message, he shares what we believe optimists should know, but may need to be reminded of, in order to live joyfully and to help others live joyfully, too.

It's pretty simple stuff that he suggests. He says that people want to derive meaning for their lives and that leaders can help those who follow them by demonstrating the following behaviors:

• Care about your work 
• Care about your people
• Communicate by listening and sharing
• Support them with resources and recognition

According to Baldoni, optimism breeds joy.

Be joyful, my friends and fellow optimists.

Happiness: the greatest good

I have been studying the philosophy of Aristotle and I have learned that he believed the highest good is happiness. He wrote that individual happiness depends on the ability to activate your own powers and talents. Fulfilling your potential, or working toward that goal, will bring self realization and self realization brings joy.

In my pursuit of happiness today, I found "The Freedom Song," by Jason Mraz to be fulfilling and knew I had to share it here on Experience Optimism for Music Sunday. What makes you happy?

Find a reason to celebrate every day

When I woke up this morning I thought it was just another morning, but then I was reminded that it was Easter Sunday.  You see, yesterday I helped my Optimist Club celebrate the good tidings of the Easter Bunny and enjoyed watching all the children scramble for candy and eggs.  That was fun.  Anytime we bring laughter and joy to others is a cause for celebration. 

Earlier in the week, I read an article that proclaimed that Easter has not been commercialized.  Apparently the author didn't know about Easter baskets, bonnets, dresses, decorations and flowers as well as the classified advertisements that churches run in local papers to draw worshipers to their door. Pardon my inelegance, but I did smile with irony.

All of this reminds me of gatherings where on special occasions and any given Sunday, friends and family would always find their way to my parents' house to share stories of the past and present and imagine the future.  There wasn't anything religious in our coming together, but it was very spiritual to bring conviviality to life. We laughed and enjoyed together.

I am not a religious person, but I do believe I am spiritual.  There is much to be thankful for.  There is much joy to celebrate in every day.  E. E. Cummings wrote, "The only wasted day is one without laughter." 

Happy Easter to those who celebrate the occasion and to all others Happy Sunday.  May you always find a reason to smile, laugh and celebrate life.

Take a minute and laugh

Children are born happy. It's up to to the adults in their lives to help them stay that way. The beauty in that statement is it only takes a little focused attention to help them smile and thrive. According to the Mayo Clinic, laughing will help you reduce stress and feel good too.  Enjoy!

Sing a joyful song

Optimist Clubs are well known for sharing the Optimist Creed. Whenever a group of Optimist Club members gather, they recite the Optimist Creed and promise  to live a positive life. 

My original club also sang a song, "Hail to Optimism."  I was pleasantly surprised when I found the words to the song on the January 1 edition of the Austin, Texas Optimist Club newsletter The Optinote.

Be thankful that I"m not singing this to you; I hope that you enjoy the uplifting words of the retro Optimist Club song "Hail to Optimism":


HAIL Optimism
       Inspiration blessed;
SPREAD the joy and gladness
       Over all the rest;
RALLY round our standards,
        It shall sure prevail;
OPTIMISM on forever,
        HAIL! HAIL! HAIL!

Do you have any joyful traditions, songs or sayings in your Optimist Club?  Please tell us about them here.

Welcome to 2010

In the new year, I hope that you have 12 months of happiness, 52 weeks of fun, 365 days of success, 8,760 hours of good health, 525,600 minutes of love, and 31,536,000 seconds of joy.  May you always dance with all of your heart. Cheers!

Inspired by Donna C. Drury of Lawrenceburg, KY.  Thank you. 

Share your joy every day of the year

There is no doubt that Christmas has become a commercial event, but Christmas is not alone in the holidays that have received the overt attention of marketing professionals and sales gurus. 

That's why it is up to us - you and me and all Optimist Club members and optimists at large - to make certain the magic of every holiday is celebrated with compassion, understanding and love. 

I send best wishes to all.  Whether you recognize Christmas, Hannukah, Kwanzaa, or a celebration with another name, my wish for you is the same; may you always experience optimism around you and share your joy with others.  Please do it today and every day.  Thank you.

Life

We don't live in the moment, but rather we live for the moments; those moments that give us hope, spread joy and allow us to share our optimism.  We treasure such moments for they are life.

 

Joyful wishes for today

How many times a day does someone tell you have a good day?  How many times do you repeat the refrain just to be polite and to finish the conversation?   I wonder why it is that we only wish people a good day instead of a great day or a super day or the best day possible.  It could be that we are afraid that they will have a better day than us.  Or it might be that that the phrase has become merely a colloquialism, something said in passing that has lost true meaning. 

I hope not. I prefer to live in a society that extends well wishes to others and that is why I have decided to always wish my friends, family and colleagues joy.  Joy is the wish that tops all wishes.  Formerly used primarily around the Christmas and New Year holidays, I hereby proclaim that joy should be experienced by all every day.

Maya Angelou says,“When you wish someone joy, you wish them peace, love, prosperity, happiness...all the good things.”

Yes, we need all the good things in our lives every day.  Start every day with joy.