avatarJames Morris, D.Min.

Free AI web copilot to create summaries, insights and extended knowledge, download it at here

1645

Abstract

elevator was as close to a rocket ship as I’ll probably come. Swoosh!</p><p id="8bf7">Inside the Metropolitan Club, I noticed that there was plenty of sunlight. My clients and I were seated at a table by the window. I then realized that we were above the clouds. I touched the window, and the sun was warm on the window. The sun was shining beautifully, and the clouds were fluffy and white.</p><p id="c90e">That day I realized that even on cloudy days the sun was shining somewhere. On that day it reinforced my belief that I would be better off being an optimist instead of a pessimist. Once the wine my clients ordered was poured, I realized that it was not a bad day at all.</p><figure id="334b"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/0*0YoSFdPnET3bAKwk"><figcaption>Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@shootervision?utm_source=medium&amp;utm_medium=referral">Kevin Kelly</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com?utm_source=medium&amp;utm_medium=referral">Unsplash</a></figcaption></figure><p id="b8ca">I need to mention that company policy required that after drinking at lunch with clients you don’t return to work but go home. Swoosh!</p><p id="8caa">Not a bad day at all.</p><p id="67c8">Thank you Susan Brearley for working with my musings.</p><p id="8f71">If you like my stories, please don’t forget to hit the follow button here on Medium. Claps are always welcome. Thanks for reading.</p><div id="280b" class="link-block"> <a href="https://medium.com/@jamesamorris1/membership"> <div> <div> <h2>Join Medium with my referral link - James Morris, D.Min.</h2>

Options

            <div><h3>Do you want to read every story from James Morris, D.Min? Of course you do. Join Medium for $5 per month with my…</h3></div>
            <div><p>medium.com</p></div>
          </div>
          <div>
            <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/0*PZ7Wqy5TI3pBf1uL)"></div>
          </div>
        </div>
      </a>
    </div><div id="3d3e" class="link-block">
      <a href="https://readmedium.com/you-need-the-bucks-of-stars-8e855ee0fd1d">
        <div>
          <div>
            <h2>You Need the Bucks of Stars</h2>
            <div><h3>Please take the possibility of pieces of glass in your frappuccino seriously</h3></div>
            <div><p>medium.com</p></div>
          </div>
          <div>
            <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/0*6rkvkaRzxNjHbFhh)"></div>
          </div>
        </div>
      </a>
    </div><div id="de51" class="link-block">
      <a href="https://readmedium.com/are-you-sure-you-dont-work-here-bffc3586be7e">
        <div>
          <div>
            <h2>Are You Sure You Don’t Work Here</h2>
            <div><h3>The almost extinct shirt and tie get me a job</h3></div>
            <div><p>medium.com</p></div>
          </div>
          <div>
            <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*[email protected])"></div>
          </div>
        </div>
      </a>
    </div></article></body>

EVEN ON CLOUDY DAYS THE SUN IS SHINING SOMEWHERE

Why I Continue to Be an Optimist

You can find positive reinforcement in unexpected places

Photo by Mike Balbus on Unsplash

I am an optimist by nature. I know that even on a cloudy day the sun is shining somewhere. I was taught this lesson firsthand in Chicago on one of the coldest and most gloomy days.

On that day I took a taxi to the Sears Tower which at the time was the tallest building in America. For twenty-five years this 110-floor building held that record. I was meeting clients on the top floor of the tower at the Metropolitan Club. It was a miserable cloudy, cold, and snowy day. There was grey soot-looking slush everywhere from the exhausts of cars, trucks, and buses.

I was very nervous because heights aren’t my thing. It's a recent fear. As a rambunctious boy, I climbed the tallest trees, road the tallest Ferris wheels and rollercoasters, and foolishly walked on the roofs of unfinished apartment buildings and houses.

There was one exclusive elevator for the Metropolitan Club operated by a security guard and a hostess that checked your reservation. Once you were cleared the security guard used a keycard to open and close the door. This elevator was as close to a rocket ship as I’ll probably come. Swoosh!

Inside the Metropolitan Club, I noticed that there was plenty of sunlight. My clients and I were seated at a table by the window. I then realized that we were above the clouds. I touched the window, and the sun was warm on the window. The sun was shining beautifully, and the clouds were fluffy and white.

That day I realized that even on cloudy days the sun was shining somewhere. On that day it reinforced my belief that I would be better off being an optimist instead of a pessimist. Once the wine my clients ordered was poured, I realized that it was not a bad day at all.

Photo by Kevin Kelly on Unsplash

I need to mention that company policy required that after drinking at lunch with clients you don’t return to work but go home. Swoosh!

Not a bad day at all.

Thank you Susan Brearley for working with my musings.

If you like my stories, please don’t forget to hit the follow button here on Medium. Claps are always welcome. Thanks for reading.

Optimism
Positive Thinking
Fear Of Heights
Reinforcement Learning
Chicago
Recommended from ReadMedium