Optimists are those people who have a positive outlook on life. They’re the ones who see the glass as being half-full instead of half-empty. And, if life sends them lemons, instead of feeling sorry for themselves, they figure out a way to make lemonade.

The following story was sent in by a subscriber in response to a previous Reminder about taking advantage of opportunities to make other people’s days.

An article by Derek Thompson, which appeared in a recent issue of The Atlantic, discussed an experiment conducted by Nicholas Epley, a psychologist at the University of Chicago, where he asked commuter-train passengers how they would feel if they were asked to spend the ride talking to a stranger?

Kristina Ulmer, a ninth grade English teacher, lost her 29-year-old sister in an automobile accident. As she went through her sister’s purse, she found $80.00 in her billfold. Since her sister was a very caring and giving person, Kristina wanted to do something with the money that honored her sister’s spirit.

A friend related this powerful moving story to my wife and me. On February 15, their 17-year-old granddaughter and two friends had some free time, so they went to the local market and bought a large number of half-price, unsold, Valentine flowers.

Sarah Trimmer is an extremely courageous person and a hero to many. During a five-year period, Ms. Trimmer lost both parents, got divorced, had both breasts removed because of breast cancer, had the cancer return two years later which necessitated chemotherapy and radiation treatments and then had her ovaries removed in an effort to prevent the cancer from returning again.

My wife Marcia and I, along with several members of our family were having dinner at a restaurant. After we placed our order, I noticed a mother and her young daughter having dinner together in a booth not far from us.

This is the beginning of a quote from Mark Twain. The full quote reads, “Never argue with stupid people, they will drag you down to their level and the beat you with experience.”