I am grateful for the gift of optimism.  This great gift allows us to look beyond our proximate circumstances and hope for that which is better.  Optimism keeps us from those pesky negative thoughts and circumstances that might otherwise lead us into discouragement or depression.  Some might dismiss optimism as an unrealistic Pollyanna approach to reality.  But the positive thoughts and energy that result can be life changing.  

I borrowed a friend’s car today.  She was so excited that I had asked her to use the car specifically on this day becuase she had just cleaned it out. Apparently the scattered debris on the driver’s side mat did not even register in her consciousness of optimism.  I love that she could be so excited about her “clean” car and not get hung up on some of the dirty little details.  French fry anyone?