My friends and I have always considered ourselves optimists. Our Freshman year in high school we decided there needed to be a day dedicated to celebrating optimism. So, one of the last days of the school year we dubbed optimists day, ice cream was bought, and a tradition began.
Contrary to what some may think (...or tease, like my husband), optimism is not just saying the word "positive". For those who may not understand the idea, here is what optimism is and is not:
SITUATION: You go to make your favorite dinner and realize that one of the main ingredients is missing. You make due and substitute it with something else that gives it a completely new flavor.
NOT OPTIMISTIC: I'm positive that this dinner will be disgusting.
OPTIMISTIC: It's a good thing we were out of that ingredient, because now we get to try a whole new recipe! Who knows, maybe it will be better than the original!
We all have our own trials throughout life. I have found that life is much happier when we find the GOOD in each situation. The last couple years Austin and I have been given the trial of not yet being blessed with children. But we have also been blessed to be able to see the good that has come from this trial.
In honor of optimists day, here are a few things we have been blessed with and are optimistic about with our trial.
(some may not make sense, but trust me, they're related)
-I learned how to use a wheat grinder
-I learned how to make wheat bread
-We are learning how to eat healthier
-I've been more active and a better eater than ever before in my life
-We've had GREAT opportunities to serve those around us
-We have made wonderful trips, and memories with family and friends that may have not been possible with a larger family
-We have bonded with other families and couples that share our trial
-We have had time to build our relationship and had together that may not have been possible.
-We have had the opportunity to save for the day we need a little extra money, aka when there's an extra mouth to feed
-We have learned to be more patient
(and when I say WE, I mean ME, because Austin is already patient enough for the both of us)
-We have learned to more fully rely on the Lord and wait for HIS will to be done
President Gordon B. Hinckley was one of the most optimistic people I know.
He shared this about optimism:
"We have every reason to be optimistic in this world. Tragedy is around, yes. Problems everywhere, yes. … You can’t, you don’t, build out of pessimism or cynicism. You look with optimism, work with faith, and things happen...Do not despair. Do not give up. Look for the sunlight through the clouds...I am asking that we stop seeking out the storms and enjoy more fully the sunlight. I am suggesting that as we go through life we accentuate the positive. I am asking that we look a little deeper for the good...that optimism replace pessimism, that our faith exceed our fears."
Gordon B. Hinckley, “Words of the Prophet: The Spirit of Optimism,” New Era, Jul 2001, 4
So, go enjoy optimists day with a big bowl of ice cream (in traditional celebratory fashion) and BE OPTIMISTIC!
Contrary to what some may think (...or tease, like my husband), optimism is not just saying the word "positive". For those who may not understand the idea, here is what optimism is and is not:
SITUATION: You go to make your favorite dinner and realize that one of the main ingredients is missing. You make due and substitute it with something else that gives it a completely new flavor.
NOT OPTIMISTIC: I'm positive that this dinner will be disgusting.
OPTIMISTIC: It's a good thing we were out of that ingredient, because now we get to try a whole new recipe! Who knows, maybe it will be better than the original!
We all have our own trials throughout life. I have found that life is much happier when we find the GOOD in each situation. The last couple years Austin and I have been given the trial of not yet being blessed with children. But we have also been blessed to be able to see the good that has come from this trial.
In honor of optimists day, here are a few things we have been blessed with and are optimistic about with our trial.
(some may not make sense, but trust me, they're related)
-I learned how to use a wheat grinder
-I learned how to make wheat bread
-We are learning how to eat healthier
-I've been more active and a better eater than ever before in my life
-We've had GREAT opportunities to serve those around us
-We have made wonderful trips, and memories with family and friends that may have not been possible with a larger family
-We have bonded with other families and couples that share our trial
-We have had time to build our relationship and had together that may not have been possible.
-We have had the opportunity to save for the day we need a little extra money, aka when there's an extra mouth to feed
-We have learned to be more patient
(and when I say WE, I mean ME, because Austin is already patient enough for the both of us)
-We have learned to more fully rely on the Lord and wait for HIS will to be done
President Gordon B. Hinckley was one of the most optimistic people I know.
He shared this about optimism:
"We have every reason to be optimistic in this world. Tragedy is around, yes. Problems everywhere, yes. … You can’t, you don’t, build out of pessimism or cynicism. You look with optimism, work with faith, and things happen...Do not despair. Do not give up. Look for the sunlight through the clouds...I am asking that we stop seeking out the storms and enjoy more fully the sunlight. I am suggesting that as we go through life we accentuate the positive. I am asking that we look a little deeper for the good...that optimism replace pessimism, that our faith exceed our fears."
Gordon B. Hinckley, “Words of the Prophet: The Spirit of Optimism,” New Era, Jul 2001, 4
So, go enjoy optimists day with a big bowl of ice cream (in traditional celebratory fashion) and BE OPTIMISTIC!
