Does Optimism Matters?

Today I want to talk about Optimism,

So... I have this friend who I call when I need a BOOST of OPTIMISM! I try to be the cheerleader for everyone most of the time but sometimes you tend to start running out of fuel and you need a BOOST yourself. And that is ok, as long as you recognize that you are human and that you also sometimes need a little BOOST!

Like our Mantra say's "IT GETS BETTER" you will get thru it, If we all give each other a little BOOST every now and then, we will fill up  each other's tank so that we can continue to motivate/be that cheerleader to others.

So, I wanted to share some information on Optimism and how Optimistic thinkers vs. Pessimistic thinkers can affect our daily lives and start to weigh heavy on us or start to in the case of optimistic thinkers can lift us up.

And I say, have a few OPTIMISTIC THINKERS on your FRIENDS LIST. That one person who you can call on to get your BOOST! Forget that random person you haven't heard from in years but sent you a friend request and you accepted it anyways  but all you see on their newsfeed is RANTS about politics or religion or complaints about how life is horrible or they hate everything they are doing and the world is just against them! Just UNFOLLOW THEM! that is just TOO MUCH DRAMA!! Get your DRAMA from the REAL HOUSEWIVES!  At least you get to see a reunion with that! :)

The information below was taken from a set of training slides from a Master Resiliency Training I had the pleasure of taking part on. This model is used by the Army, but it was instructed to Wounded Warrior Project Alumni to better understand and learn Resiliency techniques.

Enjoy!

OPTIMISM MATTERS 

Optimistic Thinkers compared to Pessimistic Thinkers:

–Are happier and have less depression

–Are healthier (fewer illnesses, faster recovery, live longer)

–Are seen as better leaders

–Have stronger relationships

–Do better in sports and perform better under pressure

–Are more successful in school and work

How Does Optimism Do All That:

–Focus on solutions when change is possible; acceptance when it is not

–Are more accurate about how much control they have

–Take better care of themselves

–Are more likely to try new strategies when current ones aren’t working

–Learn from failure and find meaning in setback

So...

Even if you take one thing out of this list. I encourage your to challenge yourself to be more optimistic about ONE thing and see the change in your life in that aspect. Let me know if it works. But you have to be truthful and focus on the "Solutions when change is possible and ACCEPTANCE when CHANGE IS NOT POSSIBLE"

I know is hard, TRUST ME! I know. I m still working on it. But as long as you make a constant effort you will be in a much better place than you were the day before for trying.

And what was my first blog about? Every Day you get another chance at trying again. At being better at it and in this case at being more Optimistic about the things you can not change.

Thanks for Reading,

Asta la proxima,

Dee,

Is it appropriate to say Happy Memorial Day

Is it appropriate to say Happy Memorial Day? 

I personally don't think there is anything happy about it but some do celebrate the life of those who are no longer with us.  

For example in my culture we have The Day of the Death, in which we celebrate those who have passed and, yes we tell each other Feliz dia de Los Muertos. But for some reason Memorial Day just doesn't feel the same, those men and women payed the ultimate sacrifice so that others wouldn't have to. They went into harms ways knowing they may never come back and so that you wouldn't have to. So to their survivors and their loved ones this may not be such a "Happy" Day but more of a somber Remembrance Day. To veterans it may paint a picture that you may be too consumed with all the capitalism going on around that you may not really know the true meaning of Memorial Day and although we are very grateful for your support and trust me we really are, it just rubs us the wrong way when we see ignorance and people not caring about the true meaning of sacrifice. Not saying that you don't but it may appear that way.   

So today if you see a veteran and you want to say Thank you or Happy Memorial Day- STOP for one second and instead ask HOW ARE THEY DOING ON THIS MEMORIAL DAY?  Because many of them will be having a rough time missing a buddy or a family member or a loved one who they lost. 

But don't just ask and don't be ready for the response. be ready to really listen. You do t have to know the answers Most just need someone to listen. And if you need a number to refer them too send them to this number for help you never know who's life you may save

Memorial Day

Today I want to share a message about Memorial Day,

I promise I will not say much and although there may be a few grammatical errors my writing coach will tell me not to worry about it or else I will never get anything on paper.

So here it goes...

The media has done a great job at reminding everyone why you shouldn't thank a Veteran today and hopefully you've all got the message by now. Why do you think thanking a Veteran today is wrong? Well most of us have lost friends at war and there is nothing happy about Memorial Day. There is nothing happy about war period.

To veterans who have lost comrades, every day is Memorial Day. Some day's is Happy Memorial day because we remember the good times and happy memories and sometimes is "NOT so Much Happy Memorial Day because they are missed more than usual and is harder to deal with the fact that they are no longer here with us in the flesh.

So when we are thanked on Memorial Day is frustrating because we may be reminded that you are too consumed with everything that is going on around you. You know the cookouts, the shopping, the beach, and everything else that America has placed before the true meaning of this day to actually take a moment and be SILENT for those who gave their lives for the freedom that we enjoy everyday.

We don't get mad because we are ungrateful. We get it. and we appreciate your support. We just wished everyone wasn't so consumed with what they are trying to sell to us in a package at Wal-Mart,  and we stop to take a moment on our way to the beach or to the family cookout and visit a grave of a veteran and share the true meaning of Memorial Day with those in your Family. So that the next generations may know the true meaning.

I hope this makes some kind of sense to you, and if you have heard it before and you think this is just another rant well I m glad you took the time to read it. Maybe if you read this rants enough you wont be THE ONE, thanking a veteran on Memorial Day :)

Be safe this weekend, and remember you are not alone.

Reach out for help, asking for help is not a weakness but a sign of courage and strength!

Asta la proxima,

Dee,

Who is Wounded Warrior Project?

Hi everyone!

As you already may know by my profile, I'm currently employed by Wounded Warrior Project as an Outreach Coordinator in Virginia. With that being said I would like to share a little bit about our organization.

VISION

• To foster the most successful, well-adjusted generation of wounded service members in our nation's history.

PURPOSE

• To raise awareness and enlist the public's aid for the needs of injured service members.
• To help injured service members aid and assist each other.
• To provide unique, direct programs and services to meet the needs of injured service members

CORE VALUES

• Fun
• Integrity
• Loyalty
• Innovation
• Service

Wounded Warrior Project^® (WWP) began when several veterans and friends, moved by stories of the first wounded service members returning home from Afghanistan and Iraq, took action to help others in need. What started as a program to provide comfort items to wounded service members has grown into a complete rehabilitative effort to assist warriors as they transition back to civilian life.

 

The Alumni program provides long-term support through a wide range of complimentary programs designed to give ongoing support. WWP Alumni enjoy getting together while attending exclusive WWP events, college and professional sporting events, dinners, and many other activities. Over the years, our Alumni program has grown substantially – take a look at the graph on the left.

 

As our Alumni program expanded, WWP responded with innovative programs to meet the needs of warriors and their families.

 

Our programs are uniquely structured to nurture the mind and body, and encourage economic empowerment and engagement.

 

 

For more information on how you can get involved with Wounded Warrior Project please visit our website at www.woundedwarriorproject.org

 

I hope you have enjoyed the read and you have found a new resource today.

 

Asta la proxima,

 

Dee,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A New Day

“Write it on your heart
that every day is the best day in the year.

He is rich who owns the day, and no one owns the day
who allows it to be invaded with fret and anxiety.

Finish every day and be done with it.
You have done what you could.
Some blunders and absurdities, no doubt crept in.

Forget them as soon as you can, tomorrow is a new day;
begin it well and serenely, with too high a spirit
to be cumbered with your old nonsense.

This new day is too dear,
with its hopes and invitations,
to waste a moment on the yesterdays.”

― Ralph Waldo Emerson,