Half Empty, Half Full

For years I've owned a tiny pin that belonged to my Grandma.
It was her pin for The Optimist Club. 
I've hung on to that pin as one of the classic emblems of my youth.  No, I didn't know what it was, nor did I ever join the club myself, but the thought of a club titled after an emotion seemed like the kind of club I wanted to be a part of.

And now that I've learned more about it, it seems exactly the kind of club I should be a part of.

Optimist International is a service club organization that was formed in 1919 and is made up of autonomous Optimist Clubs. The clubs primarily work within their own communities and serve local youth. The Optimist motto is "Friend of Youth" and the organization also uses the branding statement "Bringing Out the Best in Kids." In addition to helping children, Optimist volunteers try to live up to the words of the Optimist Creed.

Promise Yourself-

To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.

To talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person you meet.

To make all your friends feel that there is something in them.

To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true.

To think only of the best, to work only for the best, and to expect only the best.

To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.

To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.

To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile.

To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others.

To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.