No matter how long the night, the day is sure to come.

Colleagues,

I still remember the night Gunnery Sergeant Latson spoke those words to me. It felt like I had been in that fox hole for eternity and the “fog of war” was starting to set in. However, it gave me hope and reminded me of the power of optimism. This old Congolese Proverb “No matter how long the night, the day is sure to come” has stuck with me for a long time. At a time like this I believe that we must be optimistic. 

Most of us know the famous lines of U.S. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s 1933 inaugural address in the midst of the Great Depression: “The only thing we have to fear is…fear itself.” He followed that by pointing to the nation’s strengths in meeting the crisis: “This is no unsolvable problem if we face it wisely and courageously. There are many ways in which it can be helped, but it can never be helped merely by talking about it. We must act and act quickly.” These past six weeks I have seen firsthand how you all have responded with Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect, and Excellence. I could not ask for anything more. I am so proud to be working along side you all. I will be with you each step of the way!

Leadership scholar and civic reformer John Gardner famously called “tough-minded optimism,” a blend of original ideas, deep convictions, and resilience in the face of change. “The future is not shaped by people who don’t really believe in the future,” Gardner said. Rather, “it is created by highly motivated people, by enthusiasts, by men and women who want something very much or believe very much.” The best of us have all sorts of skills and use all kinds of techniques, he observed, but there is no substitute “for the lift of spirit and heightened performance that comes from strong motivation.”

Optimism is different from positivity. Optimism is not the denial of reality and optimism is not naïve either. Positivity is saying everything is good when it is not. Optimism accepts the truth of reality and looks forward to a brighter future. Optimism is the foundation of hope and hope keeps us moving forward. There is a light at the end of this tunnel and we will get there...together. 

Believe in our future! I believe in each of you! We are going through hard times now. Times are tuff, but we will get through this.

DAVID ISAACKS, FACHE