Testing Our True Strength

Optimism Thought of the Week

How do we test our true strength when faced with the heaviest of circumstances?


When we experience certain situations we sometime believe that the burden is too heavy and we give up.

The experiences that we have in life help us to become stronger, and over time it sustains us when we really need it the most. There will be situations that we will face, when it appears our support structure will fall apart.

Using the illustration of the bridge below, we see where the structure of the bridge connects in certain areas. The steel beams run vertical to allow extra weight to come across the bridge.

In our own experiences we obtain a steel beam to help us sustain the heaviness that will come our way. Each time we succeed another beam is put into place.

Over time we become that bridge to others so that they are able to cross the murky waters below. – Glennel Hardy

Photo by Anna Brewer

Tomorrow

Optimism Thought of the Week

Tomorrow is never guaranteed


We read about it or hear about it through others and the media another life taken at such a young age. If you knew that today was your last day on Earth, what would you be doing right now?

The truth being said we are not aware when our last day on Earth will be. If we are not sure of this fact, we must do what we can today and not rely on tomorrow.

There are things to complete, dreams to build into foundations, people to love, and memories to cherish. There is no time to hate. Today is it, tomorrow may not be, and now is the time to act. – Glennel Hardy

Photo by Zach Holley

Embrace Defeat

Optimism Thought of the Week.

Why is defeat essential for success?


We fear defeat. Just that simple sentence brings up two of our most frightening components that we live with daily (fear, defeat). We fear because at one time we were defeated. Defeat knocks the wind out of you, or defeat can cause you to withstand the wind.

Defeat is not the enemy, defeat is the necessary ingredient for success. We will never see how strong we really are, until our strength is tested. If you don’t become friends with defeat, you will never get the opportunity to meet his nemesis, success. – Glennel Hardy

Road Blocks

Optimism Thought of the Week

Facing Disappointment


You ever reached that moment in life, that you wanted something really bad, and ended up not getting it.  In your heart you knew it would be the perfect person, job or circumstance, but it never happened. I used to be discouraged especially when I thought everything was lining up in the galaxy perfect for it.

I would later come to realize that even though I thought it would be the best thing for me, it would have blocked what I have today.  Even though at times we believe we have the perfect solution, sometimes our solution, gets in the way of our very best.  – Glennel Hardy

Tapping into potential

Optimism Thought of the Week

How to tap into unrealized potential


Some of our unrealized potential is discovered by those that know us best. It could be your best friend, mentor, or parent. They observe what we are doing today, and show us how to break into the discovery that is already within us.

Unrealized potential is the oil well that exist on the land, but has never been utilized. I am sure there are many “oil wells” that exist within us, just waiting to produce huge results. Challenge yourself to look beyond your current strengths, and find a new production line. We only use 10 percent of our capabilities, imagine what we can do if we tapped into the 90%.

– Glennel Hardy

Live life to the fullest

Optimism Thought of the Week

How to live life to its fullest

Life has been given to us to enjoy, grow, and discover things that have yet to be seen. We are not sure how much longer we have on Earth. Since we are not sure, every moment of time that we have is valuable.

I used to love to come home watch TV, take a nap from a long day’s work and at school. Now that I have more free time on my hands from school, I have the tendency of wanting to occupy my time in doing other things.

The beauty about life is that we have the opportunity to do what we do best every day. Each day we have is a gift like no other, it’s up to us to determine to use the gift given to us.

– Glennel Hardy

Ending the day full

Optimism Thought of the Week

How to start your day on empty, and end the day full.


Each day that is given to us, it’s our choice to start it on empty with an open mind, or continue to pull yesterday’s load on our shoulders. A new day gives us a new opportunity to start fresh, and end our day with a different perspective.

If you ever seen a semi-trailer parked at your local grocery store, it empties it load, to therefore be available to pick up something new.

We must decide if we continue with yesterday’s load and yesterday’s thinking, or be open for a new load, with a new way of thinking.

– Glennel Hardy

A better tomorrow

Optimism Thought of the Week

Taking today’s ingredients, to make a better tomorrow


Each day were handed a set of ingredients, some that we may feel is bitter in taste, and some that as sweet as an apple pie. Whatever ingredients is given to us, we in return can make the best product which is ourselves.

The skillful chef can take whatever ingredients that are in the cabinets and the end result is a masterpiece. We are that masterpiece, we are the chef, we decide the ingredients, and how to utilize that which is given to us.

– Glennel Hardy

Moving forward

Optimism Thought of the Week

How to move forward, without stepping back


Have you ever wondered if its necessary to step back, before we can continue to move forward. Without us even paying attention to it, we have done it. What causes us to step back?

We can call it warning signs, wisdom, or painful events. When we step back, we are repositioning ourselves, to have a more desirable outcome.

Our thoughts of who we will like to become, is small compared to what we can actually acquire, and have the ability to be.

– Glennel Hardy

Defining our Legacy

Optimism Thought of the Week

Defining our own Legacy


Someone that I know was taken off of life support last night. It was less than a couple of weeks ago, that I was chatting with him. The reality hit me today, if today was my final day on Earth, what would I want my legacy to be?

Your own legacy is beyond monetary value, your legacy remains when you are far gone from the Earth. We generate things here such as money, homes, cars and anything else we may want. Those things will surely come to pass, but your legacy will remain.

True success is not determined by how much you gain, but the positive impact you leave on others. Your legacy is a gift that you give your children, friends, and family.

Determine today what you will like your legacy to be.

– Glennel Hardy

Braving the End of the Storm

Optimism Thought of the Week

Standing brave until the storm ends


Whenever I see a storm approaching in the the distance, I don’t run from the storm, I admire the beauty of it. I know that the storm will eventually show a break in the clouds. When I see the break in the clouds, I know in my heart there is an ending in sight.

Sometime our own present storm brings on so much of a front, we can never see the break in the clouds. We may have a tendency of running from the storm, but realize that the storm continues to head our way.

During the storm its important to realize, there is a break in the clouds. The heaviest point of the storm, surely means that soon thereafter that break in the clouds will appear.

During your own personal storm, look ahead for the break in the clouds. – Glennel Hardy

Following your vision

Optimism Thought of the Week

Attempting to please others instead of following the vision that has been given to you


Our own vision is similar to an architect with a blueprint of a structure waiting to be built. In our minds and hearts we carry the vision, and our actions that we put forward, makes the vision a reality.

Since our vision is unique, others may or may not understand what the final product will be. In our mind and heart we have already formed a rough draft, of what that vision will look like once its realized.

Instead we may follow the advice of others, just to form an agreement, or to please them, however the vision is jeopardized of not being fulfilled. Others may advise you that it may not work, but not everyone has the same point of view. That is what makes us unique as individuals.

No one else understands the vision more, than the one that owns it. – Glennel Hardy

Saying “Thank You”

Optimism Thought of the Week

The power of saying “Thank You”


At times we take for granted those things or the people that are in our lives. The once big things worth a thank you, have become smaller and we no longer are thankful.

The only way sometime that we remember to be thankful is when the one thing we once had is taken away. At times the more that is added to us we cease to be thankful, but when something is subtracted we take notice.

The picture above is my balcony. Everyday anywhere between the hours of 4:00pm and 5:00pm, a hummingbird will appear at my window. I look out for the hummingbird because he is diligent in appearing everyday. He will continue to flap his wings at the window until I acknowledge him.

We must acknowledge the presence of those that are before us. Be thankful for what we have, and thankful for what we do not have. Never cease a moment without being thankful. – Glennel Hardy 2013

Having a Flight Plan

Optimism Thought of the Week

The Importance of Having a Flight Plan


Generally when we board a plane along with other passengers the plane has a destination point. Before boarding, the pilot along with the co-pilots go over the flight plan, and check for storms coming along the way.With the knowledge of the pre-trip, the pilots are able to determine the way they will approach their destination, and any potential threats along the way.

As the plane departs from the gate and taxiing towards the runway, it waits its turn before taking off. Once it reaches the main runway, it rumbles, and the engines are running full blast, and before you know it, you’re looking at the ground underneath you.

It’s important that each of us have a flight plan, and know where we are headed before we leave the gate. Once we are ready to take off, it’s just us and the ground below us. Remind yourself there will be turbulence, and storms along the way, but always keep your destination in mind. – Glennel Hardy

Dream Big

Optimism Thought of the Week

The Art of Dreaming Big


I am staring out at the sky with the stars and its galaxies along with the moon.

Our dreams like the moon should be miles away before we can obtain it. Our true dreams can not be reached overnight, but should take a true effort on our part to obtain over time.

Our dreams should be beyond our immediate reach, it must be a journey that we must take before we obtain it. Our dreams should not be compromised, nor its value understated.

Like the moon it will always exist out in stellar space, and like our dream, it will remain constant. Each night stare out into space, and keep the dream alive. – Glennel Hardy