A New You: Optimism can take you far in life

The autumn leaves were at their peak of color as my oldest daughter was going outside in our yard to play volleyball with her waiting sisters. I was preparing lunch, and before my daughter ran out the back door, I asked, "Are you happy?"

Quite a matter-of-factly, with her always positive attitude, she replied, "Yes, mom, I'm happy." The sun was streaming into the kitchen window, and I paused for a quick prayer, thanking God for these dear children. And I said to her in a soft, reverent voice, "Okay, honey, that's what I want to know." Then, my daughter opened the door, and I heard the rustling tree leaves, as she skipped outside.

How optimistic and joyful are you? When you wake up in the morning, are you hopeful and enthusiastic about the day ahead? Or have life's challenges taken their toll on your outlook?

Today is a brand new day. It's a gift from God and it holds dozens of reasons to be thankful, to smile, to laugh, and to love. For we just need to be receptive and aware of them.

Years ago, I heard a folktale of two puppies who visited a house, and the interior of the house was covered in mirrors. When the first little dog arrived, he enthusiastically leaped through the front door. Full of expectation, his tail was wagging in pure delight. The happy puppy gazed into the mirror and then, amazed, he found himself staring at a thousand other joy-filled puppies. Yes, the other dogs looked just like him, jumping up and down happily, with their tails wagging and enjoying life. "This is a wonderful house, I can't wait to return!" he said to himself.

Thereafter, another puppy came to the mirrored house. This dog was unhappy and hung his head in gloom and doom as he slowly made his way through the front door. Growling with a sour attitude, he looked ahead, and then backed away, when he saw a thousand sad, unfriendly-looking dogs staring back at him. Leaving quickly, the puppy thought, "This house is terrible, I don't never want to come back!"

Life is like a mirror, it can give back to us our reflection. What we choose to send out via our thoughts, words, actions and deeds, can return, like a boomerang, back to us.

You may have been mistreated, made mistakes or had some setbacks, but don't live another day feeling sorry for yourself, being defeated and upset. Scripture says, "The Lord's mercies are new every morning." (Lamentations 3:23). With God, every day is a new beginning.

God is a faithful God. You can depend on Him, for He will not let you down. Everything may not be how you want it to be right now, but God is never in short supply. Stay hopeful, optimistic and determined. God is working in extraordinary ways that you cannot see or even imagine. "Those who hope in the Lord will not be disappointed" (Isaiah 49:23). For God didn't bring you this far to leave you now.

I have a longtime friend who went through a difficult time. He had some medical issues, experienced a tough legal situation, financial problems and the loss of a beloved family member.

Yet, amid it all, he continued to be one of the most optimistic, helpful and faithful people I know. He had every reason to have a sour attitude. However, my friend never lost his enthusiasm, his faith in God or his hopes for a brighter tomorrow. Whenever I saw him, he had a smile on his face. If I telephoned him, he'd tell me a joke, and I heard his hardy laugh across the phone line. When people needed help, he was always available for them.

Once, my friend told me something that I have never forgotten. "Every time I'm tempted to worry," he uttered, "I would thank and praise God." He said that daily, he'd thank God that he is alive. He would thank Him for making him strong and able to make a difference in other people's lives. Then, he'd thank God for his family, friends, for supplying his needs and for new opportunities. "And, especially, I never abandoned optimism," he declared, smiling.

Today, all of my friend's difficulties have been resolved and turned around for good, and he says that he is happier than ever before.

In 1989, two brothers began to sell tee shirts on the streets of Boston. They weren't very successful at first. Nevertheless, they didn't want to give up on their dream. One brother, who was very creative, drew a smiling stick figure and underneath printed the words, "Life is good." Thereafter, they printed the smiling image and uplifting phrase on 48 tee shirts and sold them at a local fair. The shirts, with their message of optimism, were an immediate hit with customers.

Today, brothers Bert and John Jacobs, go by the titles of chief executive optimist and chief creative optimist. Their company offers hundreds of different optimistic apparel and accessories all featuring positive messages, and "Life is good" has grown to be a great success.

Mother Teresa once said, "We shall never know all the good that a simple smile can do." So, smile, get your joy back and brighten up with a delightful laugh. Do kind deeds, help others, and give them encouragement. Let your joy be seen by those around you. And choose to live this day happy.

For ... Life is good!

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