Optimistic

The gift basket given to me by the Optimist Club of Throndale

Last night I headed to the small town of 500 people called Thorndale, just outside of London. I wasn't expecting a huge crowd inside as I prepared my presentation about my blogs, but when I did get inside, I also did not expect to be inspired by those around me.  A group of 30 or so, optimist and their wives sat around set dining tables, there was also a head table, where myself and Sue Taylor (CDA) sat with a few other men.

The dinner bell sounded and we were ready to begin eating and learning more about  the optimist club.   While everything went well, no special traditions while dinner to catch me off guard, I realized how much the people around enjoyed their part in the optimist club. While some wives joked about not having to cook their husbands meals once a month, I realized that there is so much out there to do and to belong too.

But what stood out the most to me was the Optimist's Creed; which goes like this:

"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."

Although this happened at the very end of the night, all of what I had talked earlier about regarding my diabetes, was concluded with this statement, that the Optimist club repeated at every meeting in closing of their meetings.   I stood there, listening to the voices hum of this message, really taking in every word and meaning, smiling and standing as straight as I could to respect their club.


I went there thinking I was going to be the one teaching them a lesson of finding inspiration, living life the the fullest as well as some facts about type 1 diabetes, and I am sure I did teach them, but at the same time, I didn't realize that I was going to be leaving with such a powerful message.  Something that I would print off and read over.  


I realized that as far as the definition of the word optimist goes, I am one.  Although I am not apart of the club, nor do I know much about it, only from what I learned from last night, I do think of myself as one who believes in what they stand for, and will continue my work as what I believe an 'optimistic' person would do. 


Such a pleasure!


Kayla