Choosing Optimism
Optimism Isn’t the Important Thing (It’s The Only Thing)
Hello, my dear reader. I am Lenny Ravich, the author of the best-selling book “Everlasting Optimism” and Humoristic, Inspirational Keynote Speaker in London and Hong Kong. Some people ask me how one becomes an optimist. Well, like everything else, it’s a choice. At 86, I might have some experience. May I walk you through just one of many positive, optimistic days?
Choosing Optimism
It was Valentine’s Day 2001, in London. This had been my third invitation to deliver a humoristic keynote speech, “You Can Dance Life or Drag It.” As is my usual habit, I arrived a day earlier to rest, lay back and hang out with the “here and now”. I like to walk around and observe what my higher spirit has to offer. My “Buddha Walk” led me to an attractive shopping center. I decided to check it out and perhaps buy a stylish hat that I had had in mind.
Upon entering the store, I spotted my “dream”. I tried it on. It was “me”. The store owner approached and asked, “Do you like that hat? It’s from Italy. It looks very nice on you”.
I asked this stranger if he believed in God. He smiled when I told him that HE had led me to his store to get exactly what I wanted. He said, as he put my handsome purchase in a bag, “You are a very lucky man.” As I was leaving the store I replied “Yes, I am. The Life-Force is forever sending me to places to get exactly what I need.” We shared a laugh as I walked away.
While out on the street I suddenly remembered that I needed an after shave lotion. I found a store with a cute, young sales girl. She asked me what kind of shaving lotion I had in mind. “Something that you would like.” She didn’t miss a beat and was behind the counter fetching me the lotion of her choice. I asked her to wrap it up for me. “Don’t you even want to smell it first?” she questioned. I beamed, “If you like it, I don’t have to test it.” She blushed, “Yes, I like it.” I looked up at her and chuckled, “It’s Valentine’s Day. Aren’t you going to tell me something about love?” She said, quite assertively, “No, I don’t think so.”
As I turned to leave she blurted, “How about something for your lady?”
“I already bought her something.”
“Did she like it?”
“I haven’t given it to her yet.”
“I hope she likes it.”
“She will.”
“How do you know?”
“It’s from me. She’ll love anything as long as it’s from me.”
Now that’s Choosing Optimism
As I wandered aimlessly, it became obvious that I had lost the way to my hotel. I came upon two female police officers and asked them for directions. One brusquely asked, “Don’t you have a map?”. “Yes I do, but how else could I talk to two lovely ladies without being a male in distress?” I grinned. They both giggled and pointed out the route.
Along the way back I noticed a hot dog vendor and ordered a huge one, the likes of which I hadn’t eaten since I was a young boy, with mustard and sauerkraut. I bit into it, heard the crackle in my mouth and tasted a wave of delight right up to my eyes.
I meditated on the thought that if we would just let things happen and accept our Supernatural being’s unexpected gifts of each and every moment, and let go of the need to control “what is”, we could choose to be optimistic. Sometimes we need to let things happen rather than trying to make them happen. I keep this in mind whenever I prepare for my humorous, inspirational keynote speeches in London and Hong Kong where I remind my audiences that, “Optimism isn’t the important thing. It’s the only thing”.
What about you? May I challenge you to purposely choose optimism every day of your life?
Keep in touch and let me know how it works for you.