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Today is the first day of summer, and it is going to be a hot one! I struggle with heat, anything over 85 if there is no breeze or shade. I don’t like to be hot and I don’t like the sudden swarm of mosquitos that follows me wherever I go outside, clinging to my arms and the legs of my jeans. So, I got thinking that maybe I need to spend some time spreading a little optimism.

Winston Churchill said, “…an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.” Optimism is supposed to help ward off disease and help people cope in difficult times. Part of spreading optimism is being grateful. Grateful people are full of optimism! Some other ways to spread optimism:

smile at that driver who cut you off, smile in the face of your negative relative or neighbor, make that favorite meal for the ones you love, go dancing, take the time to stop and listen, turn the TV off, picture the “finish line” for whatever it is that you are trying to get done and the distance won’t seem so far, put on your favorite song and grab the nearest whisk to sing it into, give someone a genuine compliment-see past the surface to the person beneath, write your spouse, child, or friend a note and tuck it into a spot where they are sure to find it, pack a picnic lunch/supper and find a nice spot to enjoy it with someone, start a game of poker with some friends, bake an extra batch of cookies, bread, or muffins and share them with a neighbor or boss or friend. Fill the world with the things you want to see. I’ll try to remember that all those swarming mosquitos are a bat feast!

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Pick some simple way to spread optimism and add it to your day for the next thirty days and see what happens. Keep it simple and doable. In the words of A.A. Milne:

“What day is it?”
It’s today,” squeaked Piglet.
My favorite day,” said Pooh.”