Last night I watched the opening monologue of the Oscars and Conan O’Brien spoke about the process of making art and its connection to optimism. I could relate to this on so many levels because I have watched students get lost in the “process of making” for over twenty years and there is something so special about it.

When I was writing my book Grow or Fold, I reflected on the fact that genetics also plays an important role in this. While I am not blessed with every tool that I wish I had, “positivity” is among my core strengths. And given what is going on in the world, I am doing all I can to add some light to the room to help others in any way that I can, whether it is through mentoring, speaking, arts education or in other ways

But, every once in a while, I learn of something that someone else has done that demonstrates that extra human quality when optimism combines with love and caring. If you didn’t see the story on CBS Sunday morning yesterday called “all in the family”, you’ve got to watch it here.  Very simply you will get a sense of this.

While we are all built differently, the key to optimism all comes down to helping others.