A lot of folks feel that an 'optimist' (notice the small 'o') are pie-in-the-sky, unrealistic, see no evil kind of people. That's really not true. Optimism doesn't preclude realism, and expecting (or even hoping) for a favorable outcome isn't a weakness.
There's been a lot of study into positive thinking and the effects of positive attitudes and generally, being an optimist doesn't hurt, it helps.
On to the Optimist (with a capital 'O'). These are members of a club chartered under Optimist International and work to better their communities, focusing on the youth.
Clubs I know are doing everything imaginable to make their communities a better place to live, and to "Bring Out The Best In Kids". A variety of youth appreciation days, providing sporting, recreational or athletic events, offering scholarships, developing academic and leadership qualities in youth, cleaning roads, collecting food for the hungry, and the list goes on and on and on.
If you have an interest in supporting the youth of your community (after all, they are the future), or want to make your town a better place to live - find or start a local Optimist Club.
I consider myself an independent, politically, but last February (2009), I noticed this quote from President Obama, "You know, I am an eternal optimist. That doesn't mean I'm a sap." That's kind of how I feel about being an Optimist, too.
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