optimism op·ti·mism ˈäptəˌmizəm noun 1. hopefulness; confidence in success “Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement; nothing can be done without hope.” -Helen Keller, 1880-1968 2. the state of having a positive outlook, especially about the future “Pessimism leads to weakness, optimism to power.” -William James, 1842-1910 3. an inclination to anticipate the best possible outcome “Optimism inspires, energizes, and brings out our... Read More

festive fes·tive ˈfestiv adjective 1. merry, jubilant “When you recognize the festive and the still moments as moments of prayer, then you gradually realize that to pray is to live.” -Henri Nouwen, 1932-1996 2. celebratory, especially of or pertaining to a feast, event or holiday “I always look forward to the holidays because I love dressing up in festive, shimmery evening dresses.” – Hilary... Read More

peace / pēs noun 1. a state of serenity or fulfillment When you find peace within yourself, you become the kind of person who can live at peace with others. Peace Pilgrim, 1908 – 1981 2. quiet, stillness Never for the sake of peace and quiet deny your convictions. Dag Hammarskjold, 1905 – 1961 3. a state of calmness, free from anxiety Those who... Read More

generous gen·er·ous ˈjen(ə)rəs adjective 1. liberal, open-handed “Be generous with kindly words, especially about those who are absent.” -Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, 1749-1832 2. willing to give a great amount to the benefit of others “The more generous we are, the more joyous we become.” -William Arthur Ward, 1921-1994 3. abundant “In the final analysis there is no other solution to man’s progress but... Read More

meaningful mean-ing-ful / mē-nĭng-fəl adjective 1. having a great purpose or significance “Challenges are what make life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful.” -Joshua J. Marine 2. expressive They exchanged meaningful glances from time to time and it was apparent that they enjoyed their work.

wreath / rēth Noun 1. a ring of flowers and leaves used as a decoration “As from a large heap of flowers many garlands and wreaths are made, so by a mortal in this life there is much good work to be done.” Buddha, 563 – 483 B.C. 2. a spiral or circular formation “Little wreaths of mist were curling upwards, and the sun... Read More

fear ˈfir noun 1. the emotion felt by one who is scared of something which will presumably cause harm “A man that flies from his fear may find that he has only taken a short cut to meet it.” -J.R.R. Tolkien, 1892-1973 verb 1. to be afraid, typically of something which is perceived to be a threat “We have nothing to fear but fear... Read More

enthusiasm en·thu·si·asm inˈTH(y)o͞ozēˌazəm,enˈTH(y)o͞ozēˌazəm/ noun 1. passion; extreme interest “Enthusiasm releases the drive to carry you over obstacles and adds significance to all you do.” -Norman Vincent Peale, 1889-1993

pa·tience ˈpāSHəns/ noun 1. the capacity to wait “It is very strange that the years teach us patience – that the shorter our time, the greater our capacity for waiting.” -Elizabeth Taylor, 1932-2011 2. tolerance “Patience is the calm acceptance that things can happen in a different order than the one you have in mind.” – David G. Allen, 1945 –

articulate ar·tic·u·late adjective / ärˈtikyələt/ 1. possessing the ability to speak fluidly and coherently “Talkers are usually more articulate than doers, since talk is their specialty.” – Thomas Sowell, 1930- 2. spoken with grace and fluency “You can go through life and actually speak your mind and do it in an articulate fashion and with a really intelligent point of view.” – David Duchovny,... Read More