Helen Keller (1880 – 1968) was a healthy baby, but at age two she contracted what 19th century doctors called “brain fever.” When the illness abated, she was left deaf and blind. Thus began one of the most remarkable personal journeys in American history.

Thanks to an extraordinary teacher, Anne Sullivan, Helen learned to communicate, then quickly embraced education, ultimately earning a cum laude degree from Radcliffe.

Keller become a noted author and a symbol of American courage. She once observed, “Optimism leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.” So the next time you encounter tough times, don’t despair. After all, if Helen Keller overcame her hardships with optimism and hope, so can you.

Be Optimistic!

The mind is like a clock that is constantly running down. It has to be wound up daily with good thoughts.
Fulton J. Sheen

Talk happiness. The world is sad enough without your woes.
Ella Wheeler Wilcox

There is wisdom in the habit of looking at the bright side of life.
Father Flanagan

Positive anything is better than negative nothing.
Elbert Hubbard

Things turn out best for the people who make the best of the way things turn out.
John Wooden

An optimistic mind is a healthy mind.
Loretta Young

They say it can’t be done, but that doesn’t always work out.
Casey Stengel

But we are hoping for something we do not have yet, and we are waiting for it patiently.
Romans 8:25 NCV