You may have caught news that we lost a great American on October 18th. I’m referring to Colin Powell and his story is truly a remarkable one. Born in Harlem to Jamaican immigrants (a shipping clerk and a seamstress), he rose from humble beginnings to become a four-star general and Secretary of State! I don’t have space here to list all of his achievements (nor all of the challenges and obstacles he overcame), but consider that his resume includes a Bronze Star, a Purple Heart, and two (count them TWO) Presidential Medals of Freedom! I can’t help but wonder how important a role his positive mindset played …

Powell is credited with saying that “perpetual optimism is a force multiplier”. General Powell wasn’t ignorant of adverse situations, he just believed that with the right approach and the right action, he could improve things. There’s a fascinating combination of hopefulness and incessant positive self-talk there that we could all use a little more of.

Harvard Health suggests these four practices to help you build more optimism:

1. Look for opportunities

2. Focus on your strengths

3. Practice gratitude

4. Create a mental image of your best possible self

You can read more about it here: Thoughts on optimism - Harvard Health. And as you think about our Org, our teams, and the season before us, remember these words from Anne Frank - “how wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.”

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Questions? Reach out to Kristin Fanin at nkfannin@gmail.com.

All Power Skating Sessions have been added to the BYH Calendar on Sports Engine and the link to register is in the description.

Anyone interested in attending the Goalie Clinic should pay their team treasurer $15/session attending. If you have a practice at the scheduled Goalie Clinic time, the Goalie Clinic should take priority over your practice. Just be sure to communicate with your coach that you are attending!

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