Daily Inspiration 4-26-10

The Best Is Yet To Come

Optimism Week

"There is no sadder sight than a young pessimist."

-- Mark Twain

"If you see yourself as prosperous, you will be. If you see yourself as continually hard up, that is exactly what you will be."

-- Robert Collier

"The barrier between. . . success is not something which exists in the real world: it is composed purely and simply of. . . doubts about. . . ability."

-- Mark Caine

Mark Twain's quote above hits home with me. I see so many young people who are pessimistic about life and work and success. I see people struggling constantly to make ends meet, loaded down with circumstance and self-pity. Many of these that I know have virtually given up on life as it could be, having come to totally accept their lot in life as "what it is, is."

These same people are also unwilling to study and really work at doing better, and prefer to do the minimum to get through the day in order to "get off work." These are also the same people who began and continue to perpetuate the "thank god it's Friday" mindset. All of this as if work was something to be avoided and partying was the goal.

Now all that sounds pretty harsh coming from an optimist, yet it is as Mark Twain so eloquently stated, "no sadder sight than a young pessimist." To be beaten before life has really even had a chance to blossom is indeed sad. Many in their 30's still lost and not knowing what they want to be when they grow up.

I want to save them all, but I cannot. They have to save themselves. The best I can do is my best at encouraging them to renew their spirit, chase their blues away with enthusiasm and kill their pessimism with optimism.

It's easy to get discouraged. But, here's the part that is more important: It is just as easy and far more rewarding to be excited and enthusiastic. They are just personal viewpoints.

I have chosen to mentor some young people because I believe in them and what they can accomplish. I influence many more through my positive attitude and enthusiasm and joy. I write about it so that others that either are there or know someone who is there will be encouraged and uplifted.

If you agree with Mark Twain, won't you do what you can to mentor a few yourself? If we each take a couple, we can change the world!

Be a mentor to a person who needs a bit of encouragement. It will change your life.

In Nature, There Is Nothing But Optimism.

Spread Some Joy Today--If you've got success; if you've got joy; if you've got enthusiasm for life, you can't help but share it with those around you. Maybe it is time to be really specific with someone who will challenge you. Be a mentor.