She said, "The Source is Infinite."

Every now and again, I get bored with my LinkedIn headline and feel the need to come up with something else.  I like to keep it fresh. Interesting. Different.  Anyone who knows me, knows that's one of my quirks--I imagine myself somewhat of a wordsmith. So this time, I thought I would add a label that describes a trait people tell me is an unmistakable part of my personality. My strong sense of optimism is something I definitely inherited from my mom.

For this post, I chose to include one of my favorite pictures of her with my sister and our then newborn babies taken many years ago.  It reminds me of a time when my life was very uncertain, scary and clouded with difficulty. Nevertheless, I often remember feeling safe and secure in the love my mother showed during those turbulent times that I needed her most.  We are smiling for the camera here, but things might not have been so sunny, if it were not for her "let's look on the bright side" way of seeing the world.

For example, one time my mom recounted how grateful she was to her first employer who taught her how to use a vacuume cleaner. As a newly arrived immigrant in this country, she was proud to learn such useful skills cleaning a house from top to bottom and be able to contribute $16 a day to the family's budget.  But I was not impressed. I smirked at her story and sarcastically wondered aloud at how challenging it must have been to flip a switch, then push a machine back and forth on the floor a few times.  "Stop being so negative!" she snapped back, visibly irritated.  

I marveled at how she could so easily remain perpetually positive.  When I ask her where she gets it from, she reveals her deeply religious roots and responds with the title of this post.  Clearly, whatever optimistic tendencies I may have were cultivated under her nurturing guidance. Growing up, she showed me how life is less about our circumstances than in how we perceive them to be.  Perception is reality, as they say, but she still seems to have this simplistic, almost naive survival instinct she uses to neutralize negativity in virtually any situation. 

On this International Women's Day during Women's History Month, I am honoring her today for sharing her special gift of seeing good in the bad with me.  Who will you honor today?  Is it your mom as well?  I know many may not be as fortunate as I am.  A teacher, coach or maybe a supervisor? Is there some woman who inspired you or shaped your foundations in a meaningful way?  Write your comments below; I would appreciate reading them.