Building Hope and Optimism
Hope and optimism are the building blocks of my work.
When I work with a client at any level, I have to believe that things can improve. More importantly, they have to believe that things can improve.
Hope and optimism are the building blocks for innovation and change.
Sitting around and talking about what's wrong is futile unless it is directed toward positive changes that can be implemented. It's why we sometimes feel hopeless when we disagree with things that are happening in places that we aren't quite sure we can impact.
While we are figuring out what we can do, how we can contribute and/or how we can make a difference, there is one building block where each of us can start.
You must find optimism. I must find optimism. In the face of natural disasters, acts of cruelty and political differences, each of us may have to work hard to get there.
I fight for optimism on a daily basis. I cannot sleep without it. I cannot work without it.
What about you?
Recently, I was cleaning my office and a gift resurfaced. It was a plaque I had received after speaking to an Optimist Club many, many years ago. I am so glad I saved it because it summarizes what I fight for every day. Optimism and hope are the foundation for me - without it, I crumble. I read it today and have placed it in an honored spot on my desk to remind me to be strong, to have faith, and to communicate optimism while initiating healing conversations that matter.
Here is the text of Optimist International's "The Optimist Creed."
Promise Yourself....
To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.
To talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person you meet.
To make all your friends feel that there is something in them.
To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true.
To think only of the best, to work only for the best and expect only the best.
To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.
To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.
To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile.
To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others.
To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.
These thoughts will manifest the inner strength on which we can build new beginnings together.
Each line of "The Optimist Creed" is incredibly rich and so I'll be posting an individual Motivational Minute for each statement over the next few weeks. You can find these on our Facebook page, Instagram page and of course, here at Refreshment Zone's website - our home base for renewal. Thanks for visiting with us - as always, I hope you find a gift for yourself there.
Wishing you strength - and optimism. ~Kathy~
About Optimist International: Founded in 1919, Optimist International is an international service club organization with 2,900 clubs and almost 87,000 members in more than 35 nations throughout the world. They and so many other organizations are positively shaping the thought processes and skill sets on which our futures will be built.
© Kathy Sturgis, Ph.D. Kathy is founder of Refreshment Zone and is an organizational and personal development specialist with a doctorate in communication. Contact Kathy@RefreshmentZone.com for more information on strategic planning, coaching and/or motivational programs.