WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2023 - POSITIVE THINKING DAY

 WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2023 - POSITIVE THINKING DAY

POSITIVE THINKING DAY - September 13, 2023 - National Today

Yes, it is POSITIVE THINKING DAY.

And a slight (but relevant) diversion.

There are different service clubs and organizations in the United States. I was a member (and then President) of the Kiwanis Club of Madison, South Dakota.  My father was a member of the Optimist Club (and President and Regional President). There are others - Rotary, Lions, and more.

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So, with my father in mind and on Positive Thinking Day, here is the Optimist Creed:

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 to 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. ***** WOW - I love that.  We make our lives - we determine our course.  I have (generally)  Peace of Mind - peace that passes understanding!! I love to talk about health, happiness, and prosperity!!! And - ALL of my friends are SPECIAL - 100% Enthusiastic?  One of my quotes is from Ralph Waldo Emerson: “Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm."  And being enthusiastic for others is also true (see yesterday’s blog) I see the positive - the “sunny side” of things.  I expect the best!!  (Do you know I cried when I read students’ comments at the end of the semester - there were a few students I couldn’t reach, and it cut into me as I resolved to improve in the following semester.  And I also cried for joy at positive comments that encouraged me to keep going and growing. ) Smile!!  (Over the years, people asked, “Do you ever wake up grouchy?” My answer was, “No, I let her sleep!!!”) I generally don’t criticize others. (But I need to work harder to keep myself strong.) The last statement is: “To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.” Worry doesn’t solve anything; anger doesn’t solve anything; there are some fears I occasionally have to battle, and I am generally so happy!! ***** So on this occasion to write about positive thinking - let’s all be optimists!!!  (Pessimism is such a “downer” anyway!!!)  ***** And I’ll give the last word to the Kiwanians.  This is the song we sang at the end of our weekly lunches: Smile, and the World Smiles with you;  Sing a song:  Don’t be weary Just be cheery All Day Long Whenever your trials Your troubles, and your cares Seem to be more than you can really bear Smile, and the world smiles with you Sing a song!!! LOVE WINS LOVE WEARS A SMILE LOVE TRANSFORMS KAREN ANNE WHITE, ©, SEPTEMBER 13, 2023