Shawn L. Bird

Original poetry, commentary, and fiction. All copyrights reserved.

Optimism in action. August 27, 2010

Filed under: Rotary,Rotary invocations — Shawn L. Bird @ 10:20 pm

If 20 years ago, optimistic Rotarians had not theorized that it would be possible to eliminate polio from the planet, a thousand children per DAY would still be stricken with polio, instead of the 618 people TOTAL who have been afflicted to date in 2010.*

Helen Keller said, “Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.”

I am so proud to be part of an organization that has the hope and confidence to change the world.  Participating in Rotary projects at home and abroad is optimism in action.   Let us be thankful for the optimism that fuels our actions.

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* data current as of August 27, 2010.  Check http://www.polioeradication.org/casecount.asp for today’s count!

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© Shawn Bird 2010.  Free use within Rotary.

 

greatness August 15, 2010

Filed under: Rotary invocations — Shawn L. Bird @ 9:18 pm

Each of us is called to be the best we can be.  We are not called to mediocrity.  Very few of us can rise to embrace  our call on our own.  It takes commitment, effort, and encouragement to achieve greatness.  Let us remember that while we work toward our own success, it is our responsibility to help guide others to their success as well.  We can achieve great things when we work together.  Let us be thankful for the opportunities we have in Rotary to work together, as well as for the people we meet who inspire us to greatness, and whom we inspire.