Uplifting performers

I am a school bus driver. Many people ask me “how are the kids”? I drive high school, middle school and elementary school children. My answer is – they are great. But this letter is to address the terrific programs that you can enjoy from your local high schools’ music and theater programs.

I attended last spring’s performances at two of my local high schools and found them very enjoyable and professional. I would highly recommend that you consider attending one of their concerts. The price is extremely reasonable, they are local and there are no parking fees. Additionally, I was privileged to drive the Willowbrook High School theater group to the state finals last year in Sterling and watched the most outstanding schools play and kids that performed. What an uplifting event.

Your local high school offers these presentations a couple times per year. You would really enjoy attending these productions. You can find all of this information on your local high school website, typically listed under “Fine Arts.” Enjoy.

Support your local community by supporting your local kids who participate in these programs (I pick them up every morning at 6 a.m. to attend their practices), your teachers, your schools and your neighbors.

Jim Reed

Lombard

I’m a firm believer that if we don’t deal with things mentally, eventually they attack us physically. Of course, I’m referring to our mental attitude in the aftermath of this November’s election. My address to meet this challenge is to multiply genuine happy experiences in my life script. My reason that I feel optimistic in this regard is that I consistently focus on and succeed in seeking like-minded happy people and their complementary resources.

Awhile back, I read that when a young John Lennon was asked to write down what he wanted to be when he grew up, he answered: Happy. To be happy is a most noble and purposeful end product. Happiness is good for you. It’s linked to your immune system and also promises a longer life span.

Pharrell Williams lyrically delivered these lines in his hit song, “Happiness”: “Happiness is a room without a roof. Feel like happiness is the truth.” In turn, Bernard de Fontenello humorously distinguished it by offering: “To be happy, one must have a good stomach and a bad heart.” In other words, both pleasant and unpleasant experiences influence this emotional state.

A favorite author of mine, whenever I traveled, was John Gunther. He was famous for his socio-political INSIDE books describing regions of the world. Beside his belief that happiness depends on a leisurely breakfast, I enjoyed the following quote: “Which of the following makes one happier? Pleasure, purpose or prayer. I cannot select only one. I need all three: Having, Doing, Being.”

With the election behind us, I call your attention to this Mark Twain coping mechanism and stress antidote: “Focus more on your desire than on your doubt, and the dream will take care of itself.”

Bob Simmons

Arlington Heights