A colleague of mine sent this out to all of the superintendents of Utah. It is a message for everyone:

Heroes See Life Through the Lens of Optimism

Helping People…with no strings attached

Exceptional experiences for the people we serve

Responsibility for attitudes, actions, and results

Optimism – the great equalizer

“Optimism is so much different than positive thinking…positive thinkers are the great pretenders.  If they encounter a challenge, roadblock, or obstacle, they look at it and quickly turn away . . . They believe if they ignore it, it might just disappear.”

“The optimist, on the other hand, encounters the same challenge, roadblock or obstacle and rather than look away, they face it head on.  They don’t pretend it doesn’t exist.  They acknowledge it as a problem that requires focus and attention to conquer.”

“It is time to put on the glasses of optimism.  Optimism gives heroes a couple of secret weapons.  First, it gives them supernatural vision.  It allows them to see what others cannot see . . . they see things not as they are but as they can be – people not as they are but as they can be.  They see situations and circumstances not as they are but as they should be.”

“Optimism is the great equalizer.  It helps us process information differently – to see what others see but apply it in a different way.”

“Optimism changes your luck.  It changes your perspective on the things that happen in life.  It allows you to rise above the things that hold most people down.” 

“Heroes flex their optimism muscle and begin to see what is possible instead of what is probable.  They look for solutions instead of reasons [things] can’t be done.” 

“Rise up.  Take control and soar to new heights.  Optimism can take you places you’ve never dreamed of if you’re willing to put on the glasses and see life as it was meant to be seen!”

(Quotes from The Hero Effect, p. 97- 105)

As we approach Thanksgiving, let us find hope in the attitude of optimism. I am thankful to work with such great people in our district. They lift me up as they work tirelessly to provide hope for our students.

Jerre Holmes

Superintendent