Are you an optimist?

I've seen this before on Facebook but since I needed a topic for today's blog post I seized the opportunity. 

I've seen quite a few like this, such as:

And of course:

Please excuse the language, but I found this version funny!

I think I'm a pretty optimistic person, at least for the most part. But what is optimism? And how can you get it if you don't have it?

op·ti·mism

ˈäptəˌmizəm/

noun

1. 1. 

   hopefulness and confidence about the future or the successful outcome of something.

   "the talks had been amicable, and there were grounds for optimism"

   synonyms:

   hopefulness, hope, confidence, buoyancy, cheer, cheerfulness, good cheer, sanguineness, positiveness, positive attitude "I wish I had your optimism"
2. 2. 

   PHILOSOPHY

   the doctrine, especially as set forth by Leibniz, that this world is the best of all possible worlds.

There are quite a few articles on the internet about how to become more optimistic, but I love the title of this one "The Pessimist's Guide To Being Optimistic" and it has good advice, too!

I think social media has become very pessimistic in general. I saw a quote a while back, but I can't find it again, that says something like "If you're not smiling while you're on Twitter, you're following the wrong people". Pessimism and optimism are both contagious, do what you can to protect yourself from the pessimists who want to bring you down to their level.

Interesting days

Today - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/global-beatles-day/ This is one of my all-time favorites

It's also https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/color-tv-day/, which as you can see in the video above wasn't all that common in the early 60's. And it's https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/catfish-day/ and https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/strawberry-parfait-day/ I'm not much of a seafood person, but a strawberry parfait does sound pretty tasty.

Tomorrow - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/canoe-day/ Back in the 80's a group of was would get together every year and take a canoeing trip down the Russian River...unfortunately I can't remember the name of the company that we used to rent our canoes from. Maybe I'll ask my friend, Tom Dewey, since he was the organizer of many of our trips back in those days. It's also https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/beauticians-day/ and https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/take-your-dog-to-work-day/. And lastly, but not even close to being leastly, it's https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/chocolate-pudding-day/ Yum!

Next Thursday - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/i-forgot-day/ I can help you remember those birthdays and anniversaries, just ask me how. And it's https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/ufo-day/

I used to love that show! And it looks like the entire series is on YouTube! I see a marathon coming up since I have next Thursday off for the 4th of July holiday!

July 25 - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/thread-the-needle-day/ and https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/parents-day/