Possibilities or pessimism. Opportunity or obstacles. As Abraham Lincoln said, "Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be."

And that seems to be the way with us. We see problems and become overwhelmed. But what if we look beyond the problems and see the possibilities?

This is the reasoning behind the first Community Leadership Conference, called "Designing Our Future."

The idea grew out of concern that, too often we get hung up on the negative, the obstacles and finding someone to blame. Instead, let's look to the possibilities, the good things and give someone a pat on the back for their effort.

The conference will be at the Ohio University Center for Innovation and Leadership, located in Ironton on 9th Street across from the Mitch Morgan Pool. It will be on Thursday, Aug. 26, starting at 8:45 a.m. It is open to everyone interested in what the future of our county and communities could be and wants to have a part in that.

Someone recently told me there is no mysterious "they" in Columbus or Washington who has the solutions. It is not a case of "they" will do this or "they" will give us something which will be the answer. Rather, this person said that "they" who we are looking for to solve our problems is really "we." It is "we" who will make the difference and come up with the solutions, and this conference is only a step among many - some already taken and some yet to be taken.

We will start the day hearing from people who faced many of the same circumstances we have and who will share with us what they did to foster positive change in their communities. We will then take time to talk about our future and take time to listen to each other. What needs and values do we share? What do we want for our future - for our children and grandchildren? What can we accomplish by working together?

We won't change everything in one day, but it will be all right for this one day for us to look through rose-colored glasses and say to ourselves "this is what we want and this is what we could have."

There are many around us who for years have been faithful in putting forth the effort to make this a better place. We need you to come to this meeting because we need to hear from your experience and see your commitment. There are others who love this area, but who have been on the sidelines. We need you to come because you need to get involved and we need your love for this area to encourage us.

There are some who have given up, become disheartened or even jaded. We need you to come also, so that you can see that others care like you do and want you to be a part of what we hope for.

We need the optimism of the newly arrived and the experience of those who have hung in during tough times. We need the young with their energy and the older folks with their wisdom. We need perspectives from all walks of life, as all of us have a vision of our future.

We need you to be a part of this if it is possible for you to do so. Call 533-4588 and say "I will be there." As Norman Vincent Peale said, "Change your thoughts and you change your world."

Let's turn the pessimism into possibilities and the obstacles into opportunities.

Joe Jenkins is director of the Briggs Lawrence County Public Library System.