Optimism in the News: Eight Inspirational Stories about Recovery, Rebuilding, and Hope

April 19, 2011 - PRLog -- Today I share seven current news stories that are optimistic.  I begin with the optimistic headline and follow with a brief explanation of why the story it optimistic.

South looks to recover, rebuild (Associated Press, April 19, 2011)

   * Tragic circumstances: Sixty tornadoes in a single day in North Carolina. At least 21 people died and 800 homes were destroyed.
   * Optimism in the opportunity to rebuild and help others:  The cleanup has already begun in Raleigh, N. C. and across the state.  Neighbor is helping neighbor to clear debris and begin the rebuilding process.

New guidelines define pre-Alzheimer’s disease (Associated Press, April 19, 2011)

   * Optimistic outcomes: 1) First new guidelines on Alzheimer’s issued in 30 years; 2) earlier stages of disease have been identified; 3) way paved to spot, diagnose and treat disease even sooner.
   * Optimistic Process Goal: More research needed before real impact will be felt on ordinary patient care.

Caution urged even as motorcycle deaths drop (USA Today, April 19, 2011)

   * Optimistic outcome: Motorcycle deaths fell last year for the second straight year
   * Optimistic Worst Case Scenario-ing: Vigilance is needed to prevent return to bad habits of not wearing a helmet and driving a motorcycle while alcohol or drug impaired.
   * Optimistic Process Goals:  1) Manufactures are adopting auto safety technologies including anti-lock brakes; 2) Provide training to all bikers who need or seek it.

Poll: Students optimistic despite concerns about economic future (Associated Press, April 19, 2011)

   * Hope coated with optimistic expectations: “Ninety percent of students expect to find careers that will bring them happiness if not wealth.”
   * Acceptance of what can’t be controlled: “Most expect to have harder time buying a house, saving for retirement, having the income and living the lifestyle like their parents did.”
   * “Youthful optimism” based on acceptance of life and what can be controlled: “Despite financial disappointments, they overwhelmingly say they’re happy with their lives, much more so than older folks in similar surveys.”
   * Optimistic attitude based on willingness to adapt: “Even if it never gets better permanently, we’ll adjust to whatever it is.”

Girl, 16, second teen in 5 weeks to survive Golden Gate Bridge jump (Associated Press, April 19,2011)

   * Optimistic outcome: A 16-year old girl became the second person in five weeks to survive a plunge from San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge – a 220-foot drop that is almost always fatal; in fact only 2% survive the jump.
   * Optimistic opportunity:  Currently, the investigation is focusing on this event as a suicide attempt.  Nothing has been released about the girl who jumped, but if it was due to a desire to end her own life let’s hope her life and attitude towards it is transformed and that she uses this gift from God as an opportunity to serve and carry out a life mission she had never before envisioned.

Obamas pay nearly $500,000 in income tax (Associated Press, April 19,2011)

   * Why is this story optimistic?  Because it reminds us that in our American experiment in democracy, the top leader is like everyone else and must pay his fair share of taxes.  Let’s be thankful for the foresight of the founding father’s who knew full well that dictators and monarchs pay no tax and only receive the tax income from their subjects.

GM aiming to double its China car sales to 5 million (Associated Press, April 19,2011)

   * Optimistic goal setting:  General motors has announced a plan to double the number of cars it sells in China by 2015.
   * Optimistic goals are based on a realistic assessment of what CAN be accomplished in a given time frame.  GM China president Kevin Wale said he is: “Optimistic that the company will be able to double manufacturing and sales by 2015; that’s 10% per annum."

Fastest Marathon Ever will not be Considered a World Record (Associated Press, April 19,2011)

   * Optimism is NOT ABOUT winning or setting records: Optimism is about trying your best with whatever ability you have. Geoffrey Mutai did just that when he ran the fastest marathon ever on Monday, finishing the Boston Marathon in 2 hours, 3 minutes, 2 seconds.  Even though it's considered one of the most challenging marathon courses in the world, the Boston Marathon is run on a net downhill, making it ineligible for world records.  

References: http://www.drrussbuss.com; http://www.drrussbuss.com/optimism-blog/2011/4/19/optimis...

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