Optimism.
What are you optimistic about?
This simple and humble bracelet was given to me by a team member of UHI/ UMPQUA HOMES, INC. last year, at their annual leadership retreat I get to facilitate and help lead.
It speaks to the IDD / Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities community and profession. It speaks the cultural health of the organization proper – UHI – and it speaks to the people who choose to work within the company. Since I was introduced to the IDD world, I’ve realized so much joy and how much optimism matters in our daily lives.
Here’s the key: Optimism is vital to healthy Human Connection.
1. With optimism we’re seeking the good, the possible. We’re into creativity, activating our inherent curiosity, seeking to serve and solve.
2. With optimism we’re steadfastly believing that humans are basically good; overall and throughout global populations. All humans.
3. With optimism we’re clear-eyed and open-hearted, with a mind set for building cultures of belonging. We have purpose leading the pack (vs passion) since purpose is the bedrock of all endeavors.
The retreat happens again next week, so I’ll head to Oregon once again to be with the team – to facilitate, listen, ask, learn, laugh, sip & sup.
While my headline is accurate in my Keynote Speaking, we are all more than one word or phrase.
I identify deeply with Optimism. I also believe in being nimble, serving in varietal ways, expanding with people and myself to connect in many ways in this one life I get.
So ask yourself right now: What am I optimistic about?
Sit with it, let it roll around, ruminate.
Be one with optimism.
Optimism isn’t naivete. It isn’t being selectively ignorant.
It’s about knowing that we have made the world as it is as the ultimate invasive species, and now we get to move about in it.
When asked why I’m optimistic, the response is swift and sure: Because I choose to be a seeker and doer, positively constructive and willing to step forward every day to do my part in making the world a better place.
I know there’s a lot of depressing schmidt in the world. We cause most of it, as humans. So I figure it’s the same amount of energy to promote and perpetuate the positive. I’m not ignorant of suffering or blind to the problems. I simply choose to absolutely acknowledge them and then focus on where my energy can be of positive use. It’s a choice we all have.
In teaching rooms via keynotes and retreats and workshops and all the other ways I serve and work, optimism shines a singular light into our days and world.
It’s becoming the “O” in my signature keynote, the ZYXs of Connection because we’re human moths drawn to the optimism flame.
We’re seeking good – all the time, and certainly right now.
Thanks to the Orange team last year for the bracelet. I wear it with a smile in my heart to be included, and am excited to see y’all again in a few days!
Be optimistic.
Keep connecting.
If this rings a bell for you and you’d like a boost of Optimism for your audience or team, let’s talk. It’d be a pleasure to be of service.
Worldwide HQ (+1) 515 450 7757.