Finalist - Christine Smith, Age 39

Welcome to our Optimistic Essay category. Here you will find the $1,000 winning contest essay, 5 finalist essays and 15 honorable mention essays and a growing list of hand-picked select essays that readers submitted during our "Why Are You Optimistic About the Future?" contest.

"Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it…" is one of my favorite quotes attributed to Goethe. More than a quote, it is how I choose to live.

It is this powerful belief that gives me optimism for our nation, our world, our earth--despite appearances. But it is a belief that must be shared by more and more people to create the world almost all of us really want to have. It is imperative that we, as the family of man, recognize the truth that we create our reality. If it is a peaceful, joyful, life-enhancing existence we seek for ourselves, it is up to each of us to make the commitment to do what we can to make our dream the reality.

I see that commitment happening.

Optimism comes when I see examples worldwide of the individual standing up--voicing truth--and taking courageous action on behalf of what is right. In doing so, optimism grows and is strengthened. Often such hope (which precedes optimism) is found in our children and young adults.

Lest we forget, a quick glance at the beginnings of our nation illustrates such hope. Think America was founded by only elder statesmen? Not so. We often think of them in their older years, as it's the way they are often depicted. But when they courageously signed the Declaration of Independence, many of the brave men were relatively youthful…putting their very lives at risk for a dream, a vision, a belief they wished to make reality. They succeeded.

That same courage is what we see in our citizens today from their teens to twenties, thirties and forties, many are strong, hopeful, and a substantial number put their natural energy into positive pursuits benefiting others. They stand as beacons in every nation. Such hope and optimism inspires, it fosters motivation and innovation for all of us to create a brighter future.

The same ingenuity and possibility thinking of America's forefathers is alive today. It only seems faint due to our perception and our constant bombardment with the negative. But we must not choose to see only the bad--for it only discourages and depresses. To be part of forming the world we all want, choose again. Choose to delight in celebrating the good, the happy, the beautiful, the positive. Choosing to do so will automatically and mysteriously bring forces to your aid to do the good you seek to do.

Social change is accomplished by the optimists. It's not about daydreaming about a better world, it's seeing the challenges and boldly seeking solutions. Though powerful obstacles may stand before us, the power of righteous indignation-a strong sense of what is right and is life-enhancing-is within each us. It's about truly opening your heart and mind and courageously expressing "Here I am, how can I help?" This is the spirit all people possess within, for it is what we are meant to be. We are here for each other, not against each other. Coming to this realization makes seeming limitations fade when put up against our inner truth and knowing.

Hope is within each of us; stemming from our human spirit. Hope thereby produces optimism which anticipates and expects positive outcomes despite appearances. Through these powerful forces we change the world.

These forces are distinctly demonstrated in the midst of tragedies such as 9-11, the Indonesian tsunami, the coastal hurricanes of the US, and in war/terrorism torn parts of the world. Hope followed by optimism permeates the saddest experiences the family of man endures, and is the reason that despite pain people again regain strength and begin again despite what has come before. And they who need that encouragement often receive it from others who put their heart's love into action to ease other's suffering. We respond to one another, thereby strengthening an indomitable spirit within each and the whole.

In both small and large communities I see examples of grassroots groups forming for the common goal of making their part of the world be it through community gardens, assistance for elderly, environmental improvements, and social and political activism. It's in every one of us; and if we only open our eyes we begin to see what is before us: A common dream of unity, peace, and well being for all.

It reminds me of a quote from Richard Bach (author of Jonathan Livingston Seagull): "You are never given a dream without also being given the power to make it true. You may have to work for it, however." And millions worldwide are working for it. It's the stories that don't often get told, but if you choose to see this optimism evidenced by positive volunteerism and courageous stands for what is right, you will see it.

More than that you, too, will become part of it in your daily life. Your focus will change, and you will begin to see more and more of the positive and create it yourself. Or as Mahatma Gandhi so beautifully expressed, "You must be the change you wish to see in the world."

The "world" we're often reminded of is one of despair, crime, suffering, illness and tragedy. That "world" believes love is impossible. It focuses upon negativity for its own sake, while ignoring the beauty which exist and actually dominates.

Yes, there are times I succumb to discouragement; it is then that a wise friend reminds me of the truth I know within: Appearances can be deceiving. Focus on the good you can do without regard to the rest. Though the problems are great, you have control over your emotions and actions. Once I am strengthened, I shake off the negativity, smile again, and am emboldened to again do the good I can do for myself and those around me.

Optimism is self-fulfilling prophecy; as is pessimism. Practice optimism; live it and you'll find yourself not only encouraged but encouraging others--and that's how we make this world better day by day--person by person.

It begins with the realization that you deserve to be happy. It is the reason you are on this earth. No matter your age, your economic status, your religion, or race, you are a precious gift. There is no one else on earth just like you, recognize that, and you, too, become the change you wish to see in the world. We see what we want to see. See yourself for the loving human being you truly are, and your life evinces love. Believe you are love; you deserve love, and only then can you truly love others.

Personally, I feel a vibration, if you will, a stirring and growing among people worldwide. A vibration or energy that transcends our differences of faith and race and all the other things we sometimes identify ourselves with; a vibration of unity. It is prevalent on the internet where people literally worlds apart become friends; it is apparent worldwide as peoples struggle to be free; it exist wherever seemingly disparate individuals proclaim they deserve happiness, whatever form it may take, and work to obtain it. It's simply realizing that despite surface differences, we are the same. One human family; one world.

The human spirit is one of optimism; always has been…always will. Together, our dreams and our action, will create an even better society and world. But each of us must choose to begin it right where we are doing whatever we as an individual can do. Choose again. Choose to see the good. Become the good. Choose to see blessings and beauty. Become the blessing and beauty. Choose to see love. Become the love.

It takes courage. It requires saying no to fear and yes to love in all circumstances. Therein lies the key to contentment.

I still see that happening among individuals and grassroots' groups; it is what I choose to see and focus upon; and those bold souls are why I am remain optimistic about our future as a nation, and our world.