The Irony of Consciousness

As a life coach, one of the most important precepts that I try to impart to my clients is the concept of “consciousness.”  It is the idea that if we can just live our lives paying more attention and focus to the things that we are doing, thinking, seeing, living, feeling – then we can be more fulfilled in our existence.

Let me give you an example.  If you have read the great book “I Can Make You Thin,” by Paul McKenna, then you have been introduced to the idea of consciously enjoying each and every mouthful as the doorway to weight loss.  This means that when you are eating your egg and cheese croissant (courtesy of Dunkin’ Donuts) – if you can take a bite, and stop to think about and sense the amazing mixture of tastes in your mouth, savor the texture of the egg and the cheese and the bread, feel the wonderful combination as it hits your mouth and you explode in intense feelings of joy and taste and heaven as it rolls around your taste buds, moment by moment, getting more and more intense – then you will actually enjoy your food more, which will cause you to eat less.

Although I do love egg and cheese croissants, I only bring this idea to show you how important consciousness is.  If you can be present in the moment, then you can live a more meaningful and peaceful life.  It is through thinking that you slow down, enjoy more, and act in positive ways that serve you.

The same principle holds true in other situations.  If you are conscious of things like your breathing, of your thoughts, of your actions, then you can work on them and with them to get yourself to where it is you want to go in life.  Complete consciousness. 

As Oscar Wilde said:

“The consciousness of loving and being loved brings a warmth and richness to life that nothing else can bring.”

Ironically, however, if you’ve played a sport such as basketball, you have been introduced to the importance of “unconsciousness.”  That doesn’t mean that you are required to go into a comatose state to succeed in taking a foul shot, but it does mean that when you play ball or any other sport you are supposed to do the exact opposite as mentioned above – you are specifically not supposed to think.  Unconscious.

In this vein I’ve heard many (sports) coaches tell their players that they need to be unconscious, do not think, because if you do think then you will only fail in the sporting arena.

But this begs the question, if players like Derek Jeter and Kobe Bryant are unconscious when they are playing, i.e., they are not thinking at all, then doesn’t that fly in the face of the concept of consciousness as the pathway to happiness?  It would appear that these players, who are listening to their sports coaches and are at the top of their professions, are doing the exact opposite of what life coaches tell their clients.  Is the concept of consciousness is simply wrong?

The answer is not simple, but it’s very profound.

Yes, yes, the ideal level that we should all be on is the level of….

Unconsciousness. 

We should be at the point where we are so in the moment that there is no need for us to think about what we are doing.  You’ve been there, at least a few times in your life.

You’re doing something, anything.  Perhaps sitting with family.  Perhaps playing a sport.  Perhaps just being in nature.  And you feel so totally and completely in that moment that you aren’t thinking because you’ve transcended the level of thought.  You just “are.”  Life just “is.”  You’re so in that moment and happy that you’re not thinking at all.

Indeed, those are the moments that we should all strive for.

However:

The pathway to unconsciousness lies with consciousness!

Put another way, to get to that level of unconsciousness, that sublime state of super-happiness and oneness, you must develop some sort of discipline of consciousness.

This means that although Kobe and Derek are so totally in that moment they are not thinking, they have spent hours upon hours of thinking and going through each moment to get to that point.

They’ve visualized their success, they were conscious about every step they took to their success and it was through that they were able to achieve the sublime state of unconsciousness.

Kobe (in his mind) has hit a million last-second shots before he hits the ones in real life.  Derek has hit (consciously, in his mind) a million game-winning homeruns before he ever even gets to that moment.

Thus, as a life coach, I try to get my clients to consciousness so that there will come a time when they will be so totally in that moment that the need for consciousness melts away and they are totally one with the universe and themselves. 

That is the goal, universal oneness.  And the way to get there is through consciousness.

So savor that croissant.  Think through those moments.  Because they lead to such an intense moment of happiness, where you are totally alive.  You can get there.  You will get there.  And when you do get to that state of not-knowing, you will just know.

The Kindness of Strangers - A Wonderful Little Story

I just received a wonderful little real-life story about the kindness of strangers from a friend of mine. Her story is really great, and I hope that sharing it might brighten your day, and reveal that there really is so much goodness in this world. If you ever have a story you would like to share, please let me know and I’ll gladly help you share it with our little piece of the world. Enjoy :)

About six years ago I was going through some tough times. I was sitting on a park bench near my office, and it was towards the end of winter. I was trying to write something, anything, but I remember just staring at this empty page in my notebook, zoning out and simply not in a good place at all.

And then, this random guy walked by, looked at me, offered this knowing smile, and said to me: "Don't worry, the weather is going to get warmer soon."

That's all he said, just that, but something very small yet significant changed in me from hearing such simple, kind words from this stranger. I felt just a little bit better, just a little bit more okay, just a little bit more like someone cared.

It was soon thereafter that the weather both internally and externally did start to change. I remember months later, thinking about it from a safer, happier place, and wishing that I could have bumped into that stranger again to thank him.

As one might imagine, I never got that chance.

I had a similar experience a couple months ago. I was on my way home after a tiring day at work and I didn't want to be bothered with anything. When a seat opened up on the train I looked at the young woman standing near it to see if she was going to take it, but she smiled and told me to go for it as she was getting out at the next stop. Well I was too, but I took the seat anyway because, as I said, I was tired and not in the best of moods.

But then as we neared the next stop I felt a little foolish for sitting down for so short a time. As I gathered my things I looked at the young woman and said just that, and she replied something to the effect of:

"It's been a long day--you deserve a break even if it is only for a few minutes."

Such a small bit of kindness really changed my attitude that evening, and it was nice to experience that simple little encounter. But I later realized that while her kind words and smile helped make a bad day a little better for me, I didn't even think to thank her.

And then I met her last week when she came over to my house for dinner.

These things don't happen in real life, or at least I never thought they did. But it turns out she is married to an old friend I recently reconnected with, and they just moved to my neighborhood. And so I had invited them over for a Friday night meal. When she came through the front door I couldn't place her at first but I knew she looked familiar. When we finally connected the dots it was, well, quite brilliant, I'd say. And one of the best parts was that, unlike my experience six years ago, this time I actually got a second chance to say two simple words:

"Thank you."

We don't often get such second chances, though. My point is that even a simple kind word or act from a complete stranger can have a positive impact on someone else's day. As the giver of kindness or as the receiver, no one should take that kindness for granted.

So be kind, and appreciate when others are kind to you, whether you know them or not. And then maybe we can all pay it forward a little and brighten up the next person's day as well. Because you never really know how much you can affect someone else, either on a large scale or a small scale.

If we can all simply keep in mind to be good, to be kind, and to act towards others as we would have them act towards us, then maybe we can actually make this world a better, nicer, happier place in which to live.

By Dena Croog Cohen

On This Thanksgiving - Thank You!

As Thanksgiving approaches, I wanted to send a warm thank you to you and all of the members of Operation: Optimism! No matter where in the world we come from, any day is a great excuse to think about things we are thankful for.

And on this day, I am thankful for all of you.

Perhaps this might be a good time for all of us to think about things we are thankful and grateful for. But I'm so thankful we have been able to grow our ranks and I hope that in the next year, we will double, triple, maybe even quadruple our number.

Let's join together, think about the good things in life, and the things we might be thankful for.

To all of you, thank you, thank you, thank you so much.

A Little More About Operation: Optimism! and Informed Optimism

What Does Informed Optimism Mean To You?

A warm thank you to everyone in this group for all of your kind words regarding my previous postings.

Lately I've been compiling information for a book I wanted to write about informed optimism. You see, there have been a host of books (for example, click here) that have been written in the recent months about the "self-help" culture and how some scholars believe that it actually led to the current recession we are experiencing.

Although I don't agree with many of the points from this school of thought, I do think that there have been serious issues raised about our tendency to be overly optimistic and non-realistic. It's not as pervasive in our culture as these authors might suggest, but there is a point here and I think we can all learn from it.

Which leads me to my request. If you have a moment, could you tell me a little about what informed optimism means to you? What does it mean to be optimistic in this day and age, especially when we are confronted with so many things that might bring us down.

To me, informed optimism is about our focusing on solutions, about what's right in this world. The more we focus on the good things, the more good things there will be to focus on. And so informed optimism is our tool to get ourselves on the right path.

But that's just me. What does "informed optimism" mean to you?

I'm opening this up to the group, I hope this will spark a great discussion and great material to spread with the world.

Please comment here, or send me an email at alec@operationoptimism.org. Thanks!

The World Is Not Ending in 2012!!!!

Guess what? The world is not ending in 2012 even according to the Mayans. Phew! Check out the great article here.

What We Resist, Persists & The Solution

I've uncovered and learned about an interesting paradox this week, and I feel compelled to write a little about it.

For some reason, when we have emotions, especially emotions that we do not want to have, we think that if we fight those emotions, that they will just melt away. For example, let's say that you feel depressed about something you feel is going wrong in your life. And let us say that this feeling has made you upset, and it hurts, it hurts real bad. At some point we have all been there.

Usually, at some point we start to think, "Hey, I don't want to be feeling this crappy anymore." And so we try to fight it off, fight off the negativity, fight off the depression, fight off the upset. We fight as hard as possible to make this pain go away.

However, the war we are waging cannot be won. "What we resist, persists."

Thus, we try to ward off the upset, the hurt, the pain, and in the end we fare no better then before.

But this is where the new teaching comes in. I know this might seem like a paradox, and it is, but if we could just allow ourselves to welcome the feeling, the emotion, then it's much easier to let go. If we just allow the feeling, give ourselves permission to feel what we are feeling, then we can better let go of the feeling.

Because at the end of the day, you are not your feelings. When you say "I am sad," that's not really true. You aren't sad, but you FEEL sad. You are not your emotions. And if you are not your emotions then you can let them go and feel better. But we can't let go of our emotions until we welcome them, until we accept them.

And so, when you are feeling something, no matter what it is, grief, anger, resistance, or just plain numbness, and you think you want to move on, then before you do anything - accept it. Accept the feeling. Accept the grief, the pain, the resistance. Welcome it. And once you welcome it, then you can finally start the process of letting it go.

I learned these ideas from a great book - The Sedona Method. I highly encourage you to read it. But even if you never read a word of it, just know that you are not your emotions. And if you accept them, embrace them, welcome them, then you can fully let them go. For good.

Bad Weather? Great Memory! (From Optimistworld.com)

There is evidence to suggest that bad weather makes for great memory. Read it here!

Eyes on the Prize

Tonight I'd like to talk about keeping our eyes on the prize. Often when things get hectic in our lives, we forget our goals and our dreams. We forget the things that used to drive us. We get caught up in the nitty gritty of every day life that we don't allow ourselves to dream, and dream big.

Tonight I'd like to ask you to take a moment, it can be even 5 minutes, but take a moment to remember what your dreams were. Remember what it was you really wanted to do with your life. Or perhaps remember what it was you wanted to create, teach, learn, anything. Is there a place you really wanted to go? Remember what you felt like when you've been to new places that exhilarate you, that get you really excited? Just remember, go back to that place where you allow yourself to dream. Really get specific and remember that dream. The contours of that wonderful reverie.

Look around. Who is there? What are you doing? What have you accomplished (or perhaps not accomplished if you're at the beach)? How do you feel?

Are you feeling it now? Are you in that place, in that dream that you've always wanted but just have not had the time to think about or dream about? Really feel it. Be there.

When you look around and dream a little bit more, then there is a much better chance of actually experiencing the dream. I'm not talking about today, or tomorrow, or maybe not this month or this year. But the more you dream and really fill in the details of that dream the more likely it will come about.

And let's be honest, in the worst-case, and I mean absolute worst-case scenario (and I know a lot of us think this way), you "wasted" a little time feeling good about something, and that is something nice, a little emotional candy in the middle of your day. That's not so bad, is it?

So keep your eyes on the Prize. Allow yourself to dream like you used to, just for a little bit. Try it every day. I promise you will not regret doing so, and there's even a great chance something magical will happen.

If you want to talk with me personally about this or anything else, please feel free to contact me or email me at alec@operationoptimism.org.

Be sure to check back here for updates, as Operation: Optimism! will be unveiling a new coaching program soon that should be a great jolt of positivity to our world!

Love Yourself, Love the World!

There is a famous line from the Bible that says, “love your neighbor as we love ourselves.” This simple idea is perhaps one the most fundamental elements of any faith. We are to approach all of our neighbors, friends, and yes, even enemies, with the love we have for ourselves.

As I was meditating on this concept today, an idea hit me. The entire basis of “loving our neighbors like we love ourselves” is predicated on the fact that we love our selves. Logically, what would be the point of G-d telling us to love others like we love ourselves if we did not love ourselves? But what if someone does not love his or herself? Does that person have an excuse not to love anyone because he or she does not love the self?



I think the answer to all of these questions lies in the fact that the ideal in life is for us to actually love ourselves. Because if we do not love ourselves, then at the end of the day we will not be able to love anyone else. And the more you love yourself, the more you have to give to others.

The word for love in the Bible is “Ahav” from the root “hav.” Hav means to give. The very essence of love is to give until you can’t give anymore. And the only way to give is to fill yourself up with enough so that you have more than enough to give.

And let’s be honest, it’s hard for some of us. It’s hard to love ourselves. When we do things wrong we want to jump on ourselves for being a “stupid this,” or “bad that.” But really, truly, deep down, if we cannot forgive ourselves, love ourselves, and most importantly, accept ourselves, then there will never be enough of us to give to anyone else.

Perhaps some of us are afraid to love ourselves because we are afraid that we will take this idea too far. We might become conceited and that would invalidate the point of trying to love ourselves in the first place. If that is the case then why even try to love ourselves?

I think this is why the phrase is stated affirmatively, because G-d knows that it might be hard to love ourselves, or we might be fearful in loving ourselves.

The key to the right kind of love lies in our intent. We must love ourselves, not because we think we are the greatest, most awesome person in the galaxy. We must love ourselves because we know how special and unique we are, we know that we are truly made in the divine image. Each one of us special, has innate talents and abilities. We are all gifts to the world and it is with this knowledge that we can appreciate and love ourselves.

Yes, it is possible to love ourselves the right way. If we use this knowledge and this power then there is nothing we cannot accomplish.

Therefore, love yourself. Because when you do, and you do it the right way, you will have so much to give. And the more you give, the more you love. Love yourself, and you can and will love the world.

Positive Dreams and the Power of the Subconscious Mind

I just wanted to share a very quick thought before bedtime. One of our most underrated faculties is the power of our subconscious mind over our lives. In many ways, we are the sum of all of our habits. If we found a way to form habits that breed success, then we will be more successful in life.

For example, if we made it a habit to work out every day then we would be instilling successful patterns of behavior that will make us feel healthy, and eventually happy. What happens is as we continue to push ourselves to work out, we are forming neural pathways that effect our subconscious mind. Eventually, and we won’t even realize this until it actually happens, we will be working out one day and not even know how it happened!

But the power on our subconscious mind will be profound.

The reason why I bring this is up is because once we understand how powerful the subconscious mind is we can use it to our advantage. Which is why it is beneficial for us to think positively before bed. Because the thoughts you think right before bedtime are easily imprinted in your subconscious mind.

And so as you are about to fall sleep, spend about 5 minutes thinking about your ideal life. Where do you want to live? How much do you want to have? What does your ideal day look like?

If you think about these thoughts, and smile as you are feeling the feelings of abundance before bedtime, then you will manifest your thoughts and feelings. The longer you do it the more likely it is it will happen. And then you can move onto bigger and better positive dreams!

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers out there. Sometimes we forget how much our mothers have done for us, and we can take all the unconditional love we have received for granted. It's great that we have a day where we decide to focus on that love, and it's an opportunity for us to show our mothers that we do not take them for granted. That we love them, and appreciate what they mean for us.

The Curious Case of Connie Culp

Have you ever wondered whether your eyes were deceiving you? Whether the world was not exactly as you saw it?

I'm sure many of you have seen The Matrix. In one of the last scenes, Keanu Reeves, or Neo, looks around and sees a bunch of green numbers, and he realizes that for all intents and purposes, that's what the world truly is - a bunch of randomly associated green numbers.

The point of that scene - in fact, the point of the entire movie - is that the world in which we think we live is not quite the world as it actually is. These concepts have been debated by historians, philosophers (The Matrix is loosely based on the ideas of Plato), and leaders for centuries.

All of these concepts lead us to ponder: Is there more to this world - more than what I can see with my own eyes?

The answers lies in the curious case of Connie Culp.

Connie's story is ubiquitous in the news now, as she recently underwent a full facial transplant. She is only the fourth person to successfully do so. Connie's husband shot her with a shotgun in 2004 and then turned the gun on himself. He eventually ended up spending 7 years in prison for shooting her. Hundreds of shotgun fragments were embedded in her skull and face, leaving her severely disfigured. Even after 30 surgeries, Connie could not eat solid food or breathe on her own.

On December 10, 2008, Connie endured a 22-hour surgery and face transplant, in the hopes of being able to live a relatively normal life. In January 2009, Connie was actually able to eat hamburgers and pizza for the first time in years.

Connie's psychiatrist, Dr. Kathy Coffman, relayed a harrowing story:

"Once while shopping, [Connie] heard a little kid say, `You said there were no real monsters, Mommy, and there's one right there,' " Coffman said. Culp stopped and said, " 'I'm not a monster. I'm a person who was shot,' " and pulled out her driver's license to show the child what she used to look like, the psychiatrist said.


Imagine: A little child who probably does not know much about the world, and even less about Connie, sees someone disfigured and automatically labels that person "Monster."

Have you ever met someone you spoke to briefly and automatically thought that person was either an idiot, or stupid, or perhaps naive just because of one or two things that person said? Or have you seen someone and automatically judged that person in any way, before you knew the full story? I know I have, and I regret it every time.

That is why every now and again we have amazing stories about people like Connie to set us on the right path.

"When somebody has a disfigurement and don't look as pretty as you do, don't judge them, because you never know what happened to them," Connie has said. "Don't judge people who don't look the same as you do. Because you never know. One day it might be all taken away."

The curious case of Connie Culp teaches us an amazing lesson. Often what we see is not the way things truly are. We've all heard "Don't Judge a Book By Its Cover," but do we actually live that way? Imagine all the opportunities that could open for us if we allowed ourselves to be enchanted by things we see as ugly?

Yes, G-d, the Universe, The Source, whatever we would like to call the Infinite Vastness that is Everything (I'll call it G-d) created us with the amazing gift of sight. And yes we can use this tremendous sense of sight for so much good.

But at the same time, we cannot fall in love with what we see. Seeing must not be believing, as it were.

For example, if you married someone based entirely on what you saw on the outside of that person, there is a good chance the marriage would not last too long. Intuitively we know this, but sometimes we need heroes or heroines like Connie to remind us.

Next time we start to judge someone or something based upon what we see, perhaps we can use this as a chance to take a step back and think, Am I seeing everything? Is there more to this story or person than what I can see?

If the answer is no, and your intuition is telling you that, great.

But if any part of you is clamoring for more, if you feel like there's more to this story than what you see, then don't judge, open yourself up to infinite possibilities.

Think of Connie.

Because each and every one of us (at one time or another) has been that little boy in the store, and each of us has has judged based on what there is to see on the outside. If we can embrace the inside, then we will be embracing the infinite and expanding into our best selves.

And instead of labeling what we see as Monster, we will think of what's invisible, and instead be thinking Wonder.

For more on the miracle that is Connie Culp, check out this video.

James Ray Feels The Same Way

James Ray, from The Secret knows how we feel. Check him out here.

He has a more "law of attraction" approach to these issues, but the point is the same: It's time to start focusing on what we do want and less on what we don't.

(I'm not promoting James Ray, just think it's nice to know that others are thinking the same thing.)

The Importance of Living Life According to Our Values

I had a very interesting conversation with a good friend over the weekend. We were talking about whether there is an objective "right" and "wrong" or "good" and "bad" in this world, and the pitfalls of thinking either way.

On the one hand, if there is an objective right and wrong, then the temptation to judge exists if we see someone doing the objectively wrong thing. But optimists (or aspiring optimists) know it's so important not to judge your fellow person, for judging represents the way we separate ourselves from one another and create more discord. It's what separates you from your core self, or as my friend might say, separates you from "The Source."

But on the other hand, sometimes it's helpful for us to have some sense of what we should and should not do, and there are positive benefits to an objective right and wrong. That way we know we are on the right track.

Is there a middle ground?

All of this led me to think about values. Values are those innate principles that are inherently a part of you. Paradoxically, you actually choose which values you want to align yourself with - but often they feel so natural it seems like you never had to choose anything to begin with. Values represent an internal guide book, so to speak.

Usually we choose our values from life experience, friends and family, religion (a big one if you are religious) and your internal sense of why you are here in the first place. Examples of values are honesty, service, loyalty, and independence. Even something like spontaneity might be a value you cherish, and hence, if you are not living a relatively spontaneous life you might feel an unknown sense of restlessness or loss.

But the point of all of this is that there are values that you choose to live by, and when you are not living your life according to your values, something just feels off. But when you are living your life in accordance with your values - you are at your happiest self. You're in line with your highest frequency, and life truly is amazing.

Back to judging good and bad. Maybe, just maybe, each one of us has our own version of good and bad based on the values we choose for ourselves. A subjective right/good and wrong/bad. If we are in line with our values, then we are doing the right thing. If we are doing something that is inconsistent with our values, then we are doing the "wrong" thing for us. But the wrong thing for you isn't necessarily the wrong thing for me. That's where judging comes in.

Judging yourself realistically (without being too mean to yourself) based on your chosen values can be helpful. It ensures that you are living the life you know you deserve. When you see/feel/know that things are a little off, you evaluate whether you are living life according to your values and you can change your actions if you so wish.

Either way - there is a good and bad that is your good and bad based upon living according to the values you have chosen for yourself.

For example, let's say you regard family as a value. And let us say that you forget to call your mom on Mother's day. Well, if family is a value for you, then not calling your mother is bad, or perhaps the wrong thing to do (or not do as the case may be) - for you. But, let's say that family is not an important value for me. Then calling my mother on Mother's day would not be bad for me.

Thus we see that it is possible for us to have a sense of right and wrong or good and bad based on living life according to our values. And we also see how important it is to live life according to our values. When we do, life is truly magical and we have an inner sense of peace, calm, and happiness.

Perhaps then the most important question to ask yourself is this: Do I know what my values are? Because how can we live our lives according to our values and do what's good for us if we don't even know what our values are in the first place?

If we can:

(1) Spend some time figuring out the values we have innately chosen to live by; and
(2) Live our lives according to them -

Then we can sit back and watch the magic begin. Happiness is not too far behind!

Ostensible Optimism vs. Hidden Optimism

I had an interesting experience this evening with a phenomenon I call Ostensible Optimism. It's those situations where you think you are trying to be positive, but in fact, the thought is coming from a fear-based place.

For example, let us say that you make a certain amount of money, and you've finally gotten to the point where you are earning the amount you want to make.

You're at a party, and someone comes over to you and asks: "Are you are happy with the amount of money you are making?"

In these situations you have 2 choices for answers.

(1) "Things are great and I'm totally satisfied with everything"; or

(2) "Things are good, but I'm excited to think about how much better they can be."

(You could also answer, "why the hell would you even ask me that," but you're trying to be positive.)

At first glance, #2 seems like it's really optimistic. You are saying, "hey, things are cool now, but wow, they can even get better!"

That sounds reasonably positive. But in truth - it depends. It depends on where your thoughts are coming from.

If your thoughts are coming from a place of, "yeah, things can be better, but to a certain extent I'm afraid that I'll make less next month because that's happened before" then you are actually having fear-based thoughts. Fear-based thoughts can appear optimistic, positive, expansive, but they only make you smaller. Ostensibly they seem helpful, but they are not.

But if your thoughts are coming from "wow this is great I'm so happy with what I'm making and I can't wait to see what else is in store," then you are more in line with the greatness that is you and where you truly on the right frequency. You are displaying Hidden Optimism, that has really become part of who you are.

Sometimes it helps to talk to a friend or a coach who can help you talk this out. When you are with yourself all the time you start believing your own, well, you know. Friends and coaches are great sounding boards, and you should use them to gain better clarity about your own intentions.

Most importantly though, is feeling the gratitude and appreciation for where you are. Nothing will change your world like appreciation. Appreciation is the antidote to fear, and it will take you to where it is you want to go. And with it you really will draw more in, and for that, you should be excited for what's in store. Buckle up. It'll be an amazing ride.

Tell me your thoughts on this one. I'd like to hear any and all ideas on ostensible optimism and hidden optimism. This is not just my blog - this is our blog!

What To Do When A Setback Occurs

One of the frequent questions I have been getting is this: What do you do when a setback occurs? If something truly negative happens to you, you can't just ignore it, right?

I've had these questions too, and I thought I would share some of the answers I have found.

The idea behind Operation: Optimism! revolves around the concept of "informed optimism." Informed optimism is not just a bland naivete, a la-la land way of living your life. Informed optimism means that on a basic level, you try to focus on the good things in life. The opportunities. You do your best not to complain and feel as though you are a victim of the world around you. Because you are not a victim; you have tremendous power inside of you.

When a setback does occur, and in all likelihood it will occur at some point, it's best to do what you can to focus on the solution. If you need a little time to feel the pain, that is perfectly understandable. But have the confidence in yourself and your surroundings that whatever you need to get done, you will get done, and you will get it done in the best way possible. Definitely, definitely, be informed of your situation. Then understand that this too shall pass, and focus on what you can do to build a bridge toward a better life.

Informed optimism is not about blind faith in the goodness of the future. Informed optimism is understanding the reality that is today and working toward a better tomorrow. You can do this, no matter what occurs. If we work together at Operation: Optimism! toward crafting a better world for ourselves and our progeny, then there truly are no limits for us. As Michael J. Fox says in the title of his new book: Always Look Up. Your life, and the lives of those around you, will be enlightened as a result.

End of Hand Shaking?

In case anyone was wondering why we even need Operation: Optimism!, Look no further. When we start thinking about the death of hand shaking, we start down a slippery slope toward increasing isolation and unhappiness.

If you, like some others, have been wondering whether you should stop shaking hands in light of the recent outbreak of swine flu, FOXNews is right there to help you. They asked the doctor: Should we stop the handshake?

“Absolutely not,” says Dr. Keith Ablow, psychiatrist and FOXNews contributor.

“We’ve had threats of swine flu before, and we have faced other communicable diseases before without changing our basic pattern of interacting socially,” Ablow told FOXNews.com.

“Stopping the handshake could have a negative effect. We need human touch and genuine communication more than ever right now.”

We all knew the answer, though. Right?

Let us resolve to be more forward with one another, and to increase our connections with our fellow men and women. We can't let questions like this go unchecked, or ignore the voices of reason that get buried under the lead. This is our chance to prove to ourselves and one another that we are in this together, and that only together will we excite a revolution of optimism.

Taking it to the Next Level

I have been overwhelmed by the responses I have been receiving from Operation: Optimism! One member has taken it to the next level. Although I certainly advocate wearing your optimism on your proverbial sleeve, or something else like it, it might be better to wear clothing that will conceal this a little better. Or perhaps not. Either way, keep on smiling!

A little of what we are about

Operation: Optimism! is about reconnecting to the great things about life. For far too long, our imaginations have been hijacked by the sensationalist attack on our fear. The media is obviously at fault for a lot of this, but what is resulting has gone much further and much deeper than our nightly news.

I know this might not sound too positive, but there is a war that is being waged. On the one side are those who prey on our fears, who want us to start living a life of worry, of terror, of negativity. They want us to see all of the problems in the world, and then they want to add to those problems one worry at a time.

But there is another side, another movement brewing, a movement where people are taking back their minds. They are choosing a different path, where they have decided, enough is enough, where they think, I don't need to be afraid of the flu anymore. And even if the world will end, there is no point obsessing about it, because it does not help me.

We can all choose a different path, where we think about what is going right, and think about how we can make it better. This is not a pie-in-the-sky dream; this is informed optimism. And this is what Operation: Optimism! is all about.

The Beginning

I know what you are thinking, because I'm thinking the same thing. And neither of us is alone.

With the onset of flus and bombs and other various objects of fear, there will come a time when we are going to have to choose. Between happiness and terror. Between positivity and negativity. Between a smile and a frown.



Let this be the day you decide that you have had enough. Decide that yes, things might not be the easiest, but you know what? You have a lot to be grateful for. And instead of thinking about what you don't have, you want to think about what you do have.

Let us begin this road together. I ask of you to take this journey with me and, on this first post, tell me about something good that happened to you today. I don't care how trivial it is; I want to know.