Guest Post: 21 Going on 12

Dear Optimists,

It’s funny when people underestimate your age. I personally like it, but it gets so awkward when people over-underestimate it! I’m 21 already, but have got myself mistaken as a 12-year-old a lot; dozens of times actually!!

I will never forget two years ago, while shopping with my mom, a man of my father’s age came by and asked me to try a jacket… he said, “Would you please try this? It’s for my daughter, she’s of your age, 12 years.” Then he patted my shoulder, thinking I was a 12-year-old kid!! I swear, I couldn’t utter a word; I silently pulled myself out, leaving him wondering what his mistake was! My mother couldn’t stop laughing when I told her!!

I also remember when I missed my flight last year and the woman at the check-in desk called the plane crew telling them they have left a 12 year-old child alone at the airport!!

Love,

Sara of The Accidental Blog

P.S: My sister insisted on drawing me that tiny; she’s younger, yet taller than I! If I were good with drawing I would’ve drawn myself taller!

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Guest Post Wednesday: A Thank-You email

Dear Optimists,

You might remember Carolynn the Dyer, the lovely lady who won our 100th post contest?

She won a hand-painted one-of-a-kind watercolour by me, Nadia. Not too long ago we received a Thank-You email from her, which reminded us why we do this (just like every single comment from you guys reminds us!):

Dear Nadia and Den,

I got the drawing in the mail today. What timing! You see, I’m in charge of a major activity at church tonight, and just this morning I realized that about half the things I thought were completed hadn’t even been started yet.

It’s been Stress Central Station over here ever since.

Anyway, I was running around like a squirrel on entirely too much caffeine, going to dash off to the store for (yet another) something I forgot, when I heard the mailman at the door–with a package. Package! Who doesn’t love that? Better yet, it had your picture in it, all smiling and lovely. It got me to stop, breathe, and just… smile.

Thank you, you lovely people!

Love,
Carolynn

It’s prettier in real life. We’re less orange-y.

Thank you, Carolynn.
Nadia & Den.

Guest Post Wednesday: Everything’s gonna be alright

Dear Optimists,

Today wasn’t such a great day. I found myself worried about money and my studies, plus it was cold outside; you know the kind of day.

But then I decided that I was gonna get my chin up and enjoy the rest of the day (even though it was hailing – in the middle of our Summer!?), so I put on some happy tunes. Before I knew of it I was dancing around my room! Like an idiot!

But you know what? Now I’m smiling and ended up having a good day!

With a song called Everything’s Gonna Be Alright playing on loop and no-one to laugh at me, why wouldn’t I be?

Enjoy the smaller things and keep smiling and dancing!

Love,
Julie.

Guest Post Wednesday: They say it’s half empty, but I can see it half full

Dear Optimists,

Negative thoughts, uh-oh!

I always wonder how people allow negative thoughts eclipsing their own self. I mean ain’t there better things to do than feeling dejected; better as in replacing the bad thought with something that instills positivity within us. Rather than focusing on bad, seeing a positive side would definitely be instrumental in making one upbeat. Guess, this is one of the reasons, why I always see the half glass full 🙂

Positive thinking has innumerable benefits on the physical well-being. In my case the daily affirmations have beautifully played the game. Two years back, I lost my loved one in a terrible car accident. I couldn’t stop myself going into the dungeons of despondency, I tried by all means to replace the thoughts and in the process I came across a mesmerizing piece very well written by Louise L Hay and it is from here that I started saying my daily affirmations:

This sweet letter (pun intended) has actually worked in transforming my life. It gave a healthy perspective in life and of course, a competitive edge in standing tall irrespective of any filed in life. I no longer feel any sullenness, in fact, they say its half empty, but I can see it half full 🙂

Love,
Bethany.
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About the author: Bethany is a blogger by profession. She loves writing on technology and luxury. Beside this she is fond of gadgets. Recently an article on Cuisinart Coffee Maker attracted her attention. These days she is busy in writing an article on Fuel Cells.

Guest Post Wednesday: Waxing – What beauty feels like

Dear Optimists,

We women know it. We’ve all tried it.

The “Winter Syndrome”.

Where it’s been a little too long since you have become acquainted with a shaver, which is pretty darn obvious when you look at your legs and wonder if you’re Big Foot. I often suffer from that syndrome.

One day back in July, I was sitting in the sun, reading my women’s magazine – and there it was.

An ad and a free sample for some sort of wax strips, which was kind of perfect since earlier that day I had found a case of off-season Winter Syndrome on my legs. Looked like fur.

So I grabbed the wax strip and started reading the instructions. It was, after all, my first time “waxing”.

1. Heat the strip between your hands for 5 seconds. Pull the strips gently apart. “No problem,” I thought to myself. “Consider it done.”
2. Press the strip onto the skin with the wax side down, and smooth it for approximately 5 seconds, rubbing in the direction of the hair growth. Easy! It actually feels kind of nice…

3. Immediately thereafter (immediately!? F**k! I read a text while waiting! Oh well…) Hold that area of skin taut with one hand, and then get a firm grip on the bottom of the strip with the other. Keeping the strip as close to the skin as possible, pull it off quickly, making sure to move against the direction of hair growth. Nooo problem! I’m quick as a ninja! So I grab the wax strip, make one quick pull…

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAUCH!!! Holy Mother of Jesus Christ! Are they trying to kill me!? Seriously!? Oh dear God, I can’t look at my leg… I’m sure that least half of my skin is missing…

Okay, okay… I do it… I look down, at… oh. Would you look at that. My leg has never been more smooth… So soft…
I’d better hurry down to buy a package, while being thankful for I didn’t try a Brazilian.

Love,
Mette of the Danish blog Tanketorsken (Danish for inadvertent mistake)

Guest Post Wednesday: Stereotyping

Dear Optimists,

The thing that drives me crazy is that sometimes, I cannot stand judgmental people! I have been judged many times throughout my life. Here are some rather funny examples:

Distant-Relative-I-Have-Never-Met: So, you are metro, right?
Me: Why would you say that? *confused*

Kid-Of-Family-Friends: Are you emo?
Me: No… LOL, are you? *confused*

Me: My sister says I lack common sense.
A-New-Friend: She is right, you do…
Me: Huh? *confused*

Stranger: You are probably always studying since you are brown.
Me: Actually, I wish I was the stereotypical smart brownie. Instead I spend most of my time blogging.
Stranger: *Confused*
Me: *Confused even more*

These are only a few of the incidences I can think of right now. But at the end, there is always something to laugh about.

Stay positive, people!
Love,
Eva626

Guest Post Wednesday: Wise cat and early bird

Dear Optimists,

It was just a regular morning and I was going to work. I work in Makati and it’s sort of the Business City where tall buildings and office people are everywhere along with Starbucks and other coffee shops; All I get to see are busy roads and pavements.

I was walking, holding my umbrella on my right hand and fanning myself with my left when I suddenly saw a stray cat sitting along the wall of a Starbucks, apparently observing us “people” walk and rush to work.

Next thing I saw was a man holding a rooster and examining it (checking if it was good, I guess?!), when suddenly the rooster crew! I laughed so hard. The man did not know what to do so he closed the beak in alarm, because the rooster didn’t get to finish what he crewing. Hahaha!

Was it just a morning of odd animals or was it a sign?

Have a nice morning. Watch our for weird animals!

Love,
-= rOxy =-

Guest Post Wednesday: Coffee Bliss

Dear Optimists,

Today, my brother and I started our workday quite normally. We were tired and hoping the expensive Starbucks would start kicking in soon.

It was slightly cloudy outside and about midday when a man in a Sparkletts uniform walked into our office (we have a water delivery service through them). He said that they had just teamed up with a coffee company and had an offer for us. Our boss is on vacation, so this sort of decision is left to me!

They had a new service where they would rent a Single-Serve Brewer to us for $5 a month and deliver the coffee for an additional $12. My brother and I snapped out of our working daze and the three of us started discussing what an awesome thing this would be for our office. It’s not limited to just coffee, but comes with teas and hot chocolate as well!

We pictured our impressed clients forgetting about all their troubles while sipping our fine coffee.

My brother pointed out the perfect place for the Brewer while I signed.

Mr. Boss will most likely not share our enthusiasm, but until he gets back it’s coffee glee for the rest of us!

Love,
Elizabeth of Currently Processing Negatives.

Guest Post Wednesday: Bonus workout

Dear Optimists,

My two year old has mastered the art of removing safety knobs off our doors.

Today, he popped the child lock off the front door and went outside, no pants, no underwear, and let both our dogs out.

Luckily his shirt was long so he didn’t expose himself.

One of our dogs, the 7 lb chihuahua, comes when called. The other dog, 85 lb boxer/lab mix, doesn’t.

My neighbor watched my half naked child and baby while I tried to catch my dog. Oh, did I mention I was in my pajamas, with no shoes or bra on.

Twenty minutes and one mile later the dog was caught. Then I got to walk home holding the dog’s collar, hot and sweaty, in my pjs.

On the plus side, I got a workout in without the kids.

Love,
Kathleen (of the lovely blog jakennicksmomma)

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Dear Optimists,

We’re doing our best to keep Guest Post Wednesday running, but we need you guys! Please share your positive, happy stories, reminders, quotes with us and get featured on Dear Optimists.

You’ve already been featured, you say? Don’t let this stop you! Everybody has more than one positive story in them! Let us hear them!

Send your stories here: dearoptimists [at] gmail.com

Thank you,
Nadia & Den.