Coronado Optimist Club Creed:
“Promise Yourself” by Christian Larsen
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.
The Coronado Optimist Club
John Weisbarth
“One of my favorite quotes about optimism is, ‘Optimistic people are just not very enjoyable to be around.’ Do you know who said that? NO ONE…EVER! Of course optimistic people are fun to be around. That’s because they believe in possibility, they believe in themselves and, more importantly, they believe in you. Optimistic people give themselves and others the benefit of the doubt. They look on the bright side. They smile a lot. Now doesn’t that sound like someone you want to invite to a cocktail party? Me too.”
~ John Weisbarth, host, Playing Through
on Fox Sports
Ron Wheeler
“For me, everything in life is wonderful. Waking up in the morning means another day of being with my family and friends, enjoying their company and all of the adventures that the day may bring. It seems like a waste of time and effort to worry about things that I cannot change (and maybe shouldn’t) and those who cannot be at peace with the world. I don’t push aside the issues that we all face in life (bills, sickness, etc.), I just take care of them the best I can and move on. I try to be a bright spot in everyone’s day, if possible. ‘A silver lining around every cloud’ is a perfect way for me to approach life in general!”
~ Ron Wheeler, musician
Darby Monger
“Optimism is essential but often elusive, even when we need it most. Nearly a decade ago, having a PMA (Positive Mental Attitude), became vital to our family of five. Our world was rocked when our leader, the man with abundant PMA, was diagnosed with the big C. His six treatments, scheduled every three weeks, would be rough. With our three daughters living all over the country, how would we bolster his PMA as well as our own? Our girls conferred, determining each would be responsible for nurturing our family’s PMA one week of every treatment cycle. Week after week, the creativity flowed. One daughter mailed a box filled with a paper airplane folding kit, seven handwritten letters to her dad, and scores of pages of well-known inspirational statements. Another brought over flats of life-renewing perennials accompanied by a set of knee pads for her dad to use while helping her replant his front flowerbeds. And another invited her dad to the backyard where she had attached paint-filled balloons to a huge canvas. Together they threw darts popping the balloons and creating artwork that she cut into four pieces which were framed and hung in each of our homes. And happily, the PMA made a world of difference! Optimism comes naturally to some while others have to work at it, but it’s life-saving and worth having regardless.”
~ Darby Monger, owner, Re-Inventing Spaces
Shelby Linde and Bill Cass
“It’s important to be optimistic because if you’re feeling down or sad, looking on the bright side of things will help you feel better, and you’ll probably do better in school. My dad is one of the most optimistic people I know because he always looks on the bright side of things!”
~ Shelby Linde, 5th grade student, Silver Strand Elementary School
“When I think about the importance of optimism, I immediately recall my grandmother because she was not only the most optimistic person I’ve known, but also the one who has had the greatest influence on my life. Simple, hardworking, and of modest means, she always made the best out of any circumstance, and helped me deal with many of my own as a young boy. When faced with challenges as an adult, I often find myself thinking of her standard three adages: ‘Don’t hurry worry’, ‘No good ever came from placing blame’ and ‘All you can do is your best…if you’ve done that, be happy.’ In a world where glasses are often half-filled, she always found a way to keep hers considerably more than half-full, and I thank her for that example.”
~ Bill Cass, principal, Silver Strand Elementary School
Kelsey Mansueto
“To be optimistic, you have to know what it’s like when things are really bad — and that even when they seem their worst, they can and will get better. A year and a half ago, I lost one of the most important people in my life — my big brother — to suicide. The fact that his death was intentional is one of the hardest concepts I’ve ever had to come to terms with. Despite this, my brother led by example in his life, and I gladly follow in the path he showed me. Through him, I’ve learned how to take all the bad in my life and turn it into something good. He taught me to never miss a beat when you can tell someone you love them and never miss a chance to make someone happy. I wish I had taken those chances in years past before losing my brother, yet now I know I will never again pass them by. Through his memory, I see the world and myself differently now, both with so much more love.”
-Kelsey Mansueto, senior, Coronado High School
***Do you know a Coronadan who demonstrates courage? Let us know at sbey@lifestylemags.com.***
