• I’m annoyingly perky. There’s an old joke about a kid who is romping around in a room full of horse manure, and someone stops her to find out why she’s so happy. Her reply is that “with all this poop, there must be a pony in here somewhere!”
• Think about the meaning you give to any situation… ANY situation. I just lost a dear friend, someone I thought of as a sister. And, as part of my grieving her loss, I found a way to celebrate two things: 1.) All the amazing times we had and the wonderful encouragement we gave each other, and 2.) her passing reminded me that I actually MUST get my message out. Also, the not so subtle reminder to share your love with others.
• • The point here is that I could choose to be devastated or I could choose to be uplifted. I have been enriched by my friend. I will miss her dearly. And I choose to focus on the good she brought to all she touched.
• Optimism is a reflexive, learned skill - you have to practice it to make it a part of you. 
• • In any situation, ask yourself, what’s the lesson and what’s the good that can come from this.
• The truth about optimism is that it’s a choice you make every moment of every day!

Thank you for listening to One Sharp Sword!  Be sure to also check out Wednesdays With Wayne for quick, fun, and inspirational mid-week reading.  www.WaynePernell.com/blog