The Three Promises of Optimism

As we have written in several recent blog posts, pessimism creates problems that make it difficult, if not impossible, to live life to the fullest every moment of every day.  In contrast, optimism offers the promise that we can live life to its fullest potential.  First, optimism offers the promise of hope and new beginnings in each and every moment.   Its second promise is hard work, risk taking, and self-sacrifice. The third promise is more blessings than can be imagined. 

Two of the most famous speeches of the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. clearly demonstrate these three promises and their interconnection.  In 1963, King gave his "I have a Dream" speech to over 300,000 individuals who had come to participate in the "March on Washington" for the freedom and equality of African Americans (referred to as Negroes then by American Society and King, himself).  On April 3, 1968, the night before he was assassinated, he gave the, “I Have Been to the Mountaintop” speech in Memphis, Tennessee.

King’s Promise of Hope and New Beginnings

In 1963, discrimination against black Americans was rampant as was segregation.  In many parts of the country, blacks did not have the right to vote, did not go to school with white children, could not drink out of the same water fountain, use the same rest room, or stay in the same hotel.  There was no equality between blacks and whites in the workplace, school, or college.

King said: “Nineteen-sixty- three is not an end, but a beginning.”  He spoke of his dream for equality of all men, elimination of bigotry and injustice, black and white to sit together and to hold hands,  judgment based on character, not skin color.  

King’s Promise of Hard Work, Risk Taking and Self-Sacrifice

In April of 1968, upon the eve of his assassination King described the effort, struggle and overcoming during the five years since the summer of 1963 with these words:

• We aren’t going to let any mace stop us.  We are masters in our nonviolent movement in disarming police forces . . . in Birmingham, Alabama we were in that majestic struggle . . . Bull Connor would tell them to send in the dogs . . . but we went before the dogs singing, “Ain’t gonna let nobody turn me round.”  
• Bull Connor next would say, “Turn the fire hoses on.” . . . there was a certain kind of fire that no water could put out . . . we went before the fire hoses; we had known water . . . Baptist . . . had been immersed . . . Methodists . . . others . . . had been sprinkled, but we knew water.
• . . . couldn’t stop us . . . went on before the dogs . . . would look at them . . . go on before the water hoses . . . look at it . . . singing . . . “Over my head I see freedom in the air” . . . “We shall overcome.”
• . . . going into court tomorrow to fight this illegal, unconstitutional injunction . . . we aren’t going to let any injunction stop us. We are going on.

With these words, King showed that optimism is much more than hope.  The promise of optimism is the promise born of the fruits of one’s labor.

King’s Promise of Abundant Blessings

In this same April 1968 speech, King shared his vision of a blessed future for African Americans when he likened the movement to freedom of the Jews from slavery in Egypt and their ultimate entrance into the Promised Land.  Like Moses, he was not sure if he would be there when they entered, but he assured the audience that he had been to the mountaintop, seen the promised land, and that whether or not he was with them they would get there.  In that moment he talked of “being happy, not fearing any man,” because he had “seen the glory of the coming . . .”

King was right.  The blessings for the African American in America have been abundant since his death.  It took 100 years from the Emancipation Proclamation to get to the “I Have a Dream Speech” in Washington D.C.  It took only five years to lead the nation to banks of the Promised Land, and it took fifty more for the nation to see discrimination once and for all symbolically and literally eliminated from American society with the election of an African American President.

A Bonus Fourth Promise of Optimism

Optimism’s fourth promise is that it is ongoing and eternal.  Yes, we have essentially eliminated discrimination against blacks in America, but there are still pockets of bigotry and hatred not only toward blacks, but other minorities, religious groups, gays, lesbians and anyone else deemed different and therefore unacceptable.  Thus, we must continue to fight for those less fortunate, oppressed and downtrodden with the sword of optimism as our only hope!

Plant and Nourish the Seed of Self-Worth found in a Relationship with God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit

By Russ,

Today’s “Busster” discusses “seed of self-worth” from a Christian perspective.

Who is in control of your self-worth?  Do you believe that it is possible to have total control over your self-worth, the way you feel about yourself and value yourself, no matter what circumstances of life you are in?  No matter how much wealth or how much suffering? 

Let’s take a look at some famous people, pair them up and ask: Who had more self-worth?

Osama Bin Laden or Mother Theresa

Gandhi or Hitler

Muammar Gaddafi or Martin Luther King

If you answered Mother Theresa, Gandhi, and Martin Luther King had more self-worth than Bin Laden, Hitler and Gaddafi you have the right idea. 

Which set of individuals above exhibited these attributes: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control?  That’s right, Mother Theresa, Gandhi and King.  These attributes have been referred to as the fruits of the positive self-worth tree; fruit born of the seed of the Holy Spirit. (See New Testament, Galatians 5:22-23).

Bin Laden, Hitler and Gaddafi exhibited just the opposite attributes: hate, fear, cruelty, impulsivity, unkindness, evil, dishonesty, rudeness, and self-indulgence.  These attributes represent poisonous fruit from a tree planted with an evil seed.  

Dr. Russ Busster – Plant the Seed of Self-Worth Within Your Heart (from 2 Corinthians 6-8; New Living Translation)

• Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop . . .  “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.

Now let me ask these questions: (By the way, I think you already know the answers).

1. Did Mother Theresa, Gandhi and King give of themselves generously and cheerfully? (YES)
2. Did they have any personal needs that were not met? (NO)
3. Did they seem to have everything they needed and plenty left over to share with others? (YES)

So what about the self-worth of Bin Laden, Hitler and Gaddafi?

These men have and had no self-worth from within.  They sought self-worth outside themselves where self-worth does not lie.  It only lies within.  They mistakenly thought that by acquiring power, wealth, guns, and control over others that they would be worshiped an followed.  But, the more fear they tried to strike into the hearts of others, the more worry and fear they had that someone might overthrow, defeat or kill them and they would lose everything including their worth.

Final Thought and Question:  Where are you seeking your self-worth -  within or without? 

If you are looking for self-worth that is eternally resilient, can’t be damaged or taken away try planting the seed of the Holy Spirit within your heart.  Remember, God never rejects anyone who seeks to be in a relationship with Him.  Just as He is there 24/7 to hear your prayers, He will never reject your request to be in a personal relationship with Him.

Once you plant that seed in your heart, the fruits of the Holy Spirit will grow on your tree of self-worth.  And, when you find yourself giving generously to others, you will realize that you have all you REALLY need.

Having the joyous sense of Self-Worth of a Mother Theresa, Gandhi, or King is REALLY a simple choice, cannot be turned down, is totally within your control!!!!

What do you think????

Ten New Optimism Quotes Inspired by the Words of Martin Luther King and President Obama

By Dr. Russ,

1. Service to others is the ultimate optimistic act.
2. Listen to what our children tell us because sometimes the wisdom of a 9 year old is every bit as wise as that of an 89 year old.
3. Sense can be made of senseless violence only by searching for and finding a new meaning in life that then directs us to a new mission.
4. How we choose to live our lives is not only the means to an end it is the end in and of itself.
5. Martin Luther King told us that when we sacrifice for what is right - there can be no stopping us on the path to our mission.
6. The old adage of be divided and be conquered makes our nation vulnerable to many threats.  It is time once again to recognize the power of collaboration for a collective good.
7. When violent acts take away a loved one, we are once again reminded to take stock of and be thankful for the relationships we still have to celebrate in each living moment.
8. Put more time back into your day by doing what can be done in two minutes of less, right now!
9. It is our choice about whether we will allow ourselves to be overwhelmed by the circumstances of reality.
10. We always have a choice about taking action to take on the challenges presented by reality and to try to solve the problems contained therein.



Optimism in Memory of Christina Green and Martin Luther King, Jr.

By Dr. Russ

On Wednesday night President Obama asked the nation to follow the leadership of a nine year old child named Christina Green who lost her life pursuing democracy.  He said:

• I want us to live up to her expectations. I want our democracy to be as good as she imagined it. All of us – we should do everything we can to make sure this country lives up to our children's expectations. (President Obama, Tucson, Arizona speech, January 12, 2011.

On Monday, January 17, 2011, our nation will honor another fallen hero who fought for democracy and the equality of all people, The Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr.

As I try to make sense of the senseless, to bring some order to this chaos wrought of violence, I am struck by the juxtaposition of the date of Christina’s death and the date we have chosen for a national holiday to honor Martin Luther King.  Christina was gunned down a week before the three day King Holiday weekend, and her brief life was commemorated in her funeral just 5 days before the holiday itself. 

Christina at 9 years old was just beginning a promising life of service to her country. King at 39 had led African Americans to the precipice of equality.  Both lives remind us of the need to carry on with even more vigor and passion for the causes of freedom and equality.  King’s peaceful demonstrations were not only the means to an end, but embodied the end itself – live in peace and you will live peacefully, within.

I ask, you are asking, a nation is asking, “What can be done?”  Where is the “optimism” in these tragedies?  President Obama answered by asking if we are ready to become the disciples of a 9 year old child.  A child clearly advanced in her years, living beyond childhood self-centered ego concerns, who was already asking others to give back to their communities.

This weekend on MI Optimism, Jackie Monroe and I interview T.J. Duckett, an African American who is following the distant call of Reverend Martin Luther King to find that inner spirit of peace, kindness, and compassion in order to give back to his local community after living the “high life” of an eight year career in the NFL.

Below are some quotes of Reverend King that may help us make sense of this senselessness called violence, along with my interpretation of the possible OPTIMISTIC meaning of Christina’s death in the context of the spirit of each quote.

“Only when it is dark enough, can you see the stars.” ~Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr., 1968

• Christina’s death has dimmed the heavenly lights so once again we can gaze upon the stars.

“When people get caught up with that which is right, are willing to sacrifice for it, there is no stopping point short of victory.” ~Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr., 1968

• Christina was unstoppable in her thirst to learn more about living out the dream of democracy.  It is time to pick up her torch and carry it on. 

“We are poor people, but collectively we (black Americans) are richer than all the nations of the world with the exception of none.” ~Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr., 1968

• Christina’s death and the attempted assassination of Congresswoman Giffords has once again put out a call for the end of divisiveness and a rallying cry to unite in the collective and powerful spirit of collaboration and working together for the common good.

“I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the Promised Land.” ~Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr., 1968

• Neither Christina nor the Reverend King will be there physically as we approach and get to the “Promised Land,” but if we do not keep their spirit and memory within us each and every moment of every day we WILL NOT get there.

Black Americans Found Optimism in King's Promised Land

By Dr. Russ

The theme for this WEEK IN REVIEW is about the DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HOPE AND OPTIMISM, and the importance of distinguishing between the two.   This Baker’s Dozen Tips are drawn from the words of Martin Luther King, Jr., selling with a purpose, teaching children the difference between hope and optimism, and the Diary of a Struggling Optimist.

Dr. Russ Buss’s Top Thirteen Tips from the Past Week

1. Hope is essential for, but not equivalent to, optimism.  Hope describes the dream and optimism makes it happen with that “never give in – learn from mistakes – take on and overcome tough challenges” mentality.

2. In 1963, Martin Luther King gave the world a message of hope in his “I Have a Dream,” speech.  His dream: 1) blacks and whites would sit together as equals and brothers, 2) even the most racially prejudiced state, Mississippi, would be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice, 3) children born in the 1960’s would be judged by their character and not the color of their skin, and 4) hope for racial equality would be hewn out of a mountain of despair.

3. In 1963 when King expressed HOPE he was inspirational, but he WAS NOT FEARED.

4. In 1968, as the civil rights movement was reaching a crescendo of success, he delivered the famous “I have seen the Promised Land Speech,” a message of OPTIMISM that spoke of  effectiveness – we NOT ONLY WILL BUT HAVE overcome – we will succeed through hard work – nonviolent effort.

5. In 1968, with the HOPE of 1963 transformed in five years of OPTIMISTIC challenge, struggle and “make-it-happen success,” KING WAS NOW FEARED.  He was assassinated the day after the “Promised Land Speech.”

6. In the spring of 1968, first with the assassination of Martin Luther King and then Bobby Kennedy, I like many suffered a few or more pessimistic moments.  But, the civil rights movement went forward and the equality King strove for was grandly symbolized a year ago when a “black” man was sworn in as president.

7. The less grand, but important “take-away” message for those struggling through the average everyday moments of life: “A SKILLED OPTIMIST IS TO BE FEARED.”  The “skilled optimist” gets things done, overcomes obstacles and keeps rolling forward with unstoppable progress like the 30 foot high mass of muck containing steel, earth, timber, cement, and rubble from crushed homes pressed on by twenty million tons of water that spilled through a broken dam, in less that 20 minutes, that caused the Johnstown, Pa. flood of 1889.

8. If you are in business or sales and learn to become a “skilled optimist” your competition will retreat, sidestep, and fade away as you roll over the landscape.

9. “Only when it is dark enough, can you see the stars.” ~Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr., 1968, reflects the “preposterous” thinking of the “skilled optimist.”

10. “When people get caught up with that which is right, are willing to sacrifice for it, there is no stopping point short of victory.” ~Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr., 1968, reflects the “persistence” thinking of the “skilled optimist.”

11. “We are poor people, but collectively we (black Americans) are richer than all the nations of the world with the exception of nine.” ~Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr., 1968, reflects the “power of collaborative” thinking of the “skilled optimist.”

12. “We are going into court tomorrow to fight this illegal, unconstitutional injunction. We aren’t going to let any injunction stop us. We are going on.” ~Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr., 1968, reflects the “overcoming obstacles” thinking of the “skilled optimist.”

13. “I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the Promised Land.” ~Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr., 1968, reflects the “self-confident” thinking of the “skilled optimist.”