Friday, August 19, 2011
The Optimist Creed
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 great 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.
From: Optimist International
What is being an optimist? How do you stay focused? In today’s world, how do you stay positive and keep on keeping on?
A story: I have run 19 marathons in my life. During the runs, between miles 15 and 20, the body wants to stop. You feel depleted and exhausted and you have used up your body’s resources. Once, during the San Francisco Marathon (I have run that one 4 times!), I wanted to quit around mile 18. While I was moaning and groaning, I heard the chipper voices of two men running behind me. They were laughing and talking a mile a minute. Then, they passed me. One of the runners had his hand on the other runner’s shoulder. I looked at their t-shirts and they said, Achilles Track Club. The runner was blind running with his pacer.
After my initial shock and surprise, I yelled out, “Great Job, Guys!” and kept on running! I picked up my pace, strengthen my stride, ran taller and prouder and finished the race. I had my sight and here was a blind runner laughing and running faster than I was running. I ran the rest of the marathon happy and counting ALL my blessings!
Sometimes, optimism is realizing that we really have it pretty good in our lives. We have our health, we have shelter and nourishment, family and friends, enough funds to live and the desire to dance and enjoy life. Take a moment, think of all the great things in our lives and how blessed we are. That’ll make each of us a true optimist!
Next blog will be in two weeks. Keep on dancing!
Aloha,
David Woodbury
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