The Power of Optimism
A reflection of “Always Looking Up - the Adventures of
an Incurable Optimist” by Michael J. Fox
Stacey Harris, HuebnerPetersen
July 2009

“Happiness does not depend on who
we are or what we have, it depends
solely on what we think.” - Anonymous

Optimism: an inclination to put the
most favorable construction upon
actions and events or to anticipate
the best possible outcome.
Source: Webster’s Dictionary

Traits of an Optimist
Optimists explain positive events as having happened because
of their own efforts
Optimists see positive events as evidence that more positive
things will happen in the future, and in other areas of their lives
Optimists see negative events as not being their fault, but as
flukes that have nothing to do with other areas of their lives

What does this mean?
If you’re an optimist, this bodes well for your future
Negative events are more likely to roll off of your back, but
positive events affirm your belief in yourself, your ability to
make good things happen now and in the future, and in the
goodness of life

Always Looking Up
A candid personal
journey of an
introspective, humble
(funny) man, husband,
father, friend, star and
political advocate making
his way through his 40’s,
struggling against a
disease with no cure.

“While not a strict narrative, Always
Looking Up describes journey of self-
discovery and reinvention. The story
is a testament to the consolations
that get me through and give
meaning to every area of my life.”
- Michael J. Fox

Michael J. Fox describes himself as a
lucky man. He believes that whatever
choices may have been taken from
him because of his Parkinson’s, they
have been replaced with better ones.

It’s all in the details….
Michael is a fantastic storyteller, using anecdotes and personal
recollections to draw the reader into his world
He doesn’t come right out and say “Optimism is this or that”,
he provides examples and allows the reader to draw his or her
own conclusions

Impact of the Book
Readers can see first-hand the challenges he faces
with PD as well as people in other tough situations,
and the impact on his family
Readers get a sense for how Fox’s optimistic outlook
influences every part of his life

Optimism & Faith
“Unlike optimism, hope is the product of knowledge and the
projection of where the knowledge can take us.” - Christopher
Reeve
“If optimism is a happy-go-lucky expectation that the odds are
in my favor, that things are likely to break my way, and if hope
is an informed optimism, facts converting desire into possibility,
then faith is the third leg of the stool. Faith tells me that I’m not
alone. And as my years with Parkinson’s disease has taught
me, if any of those legs are missing, I’m gonna fall on my ass.”
- Michael J. Fox

Optimism & Family
“Over the past nineteen years, I have come to understand that
no parent can get his or her arms around all of the could’ve,
would’ve, should’ves, mights, maybes, and what-ifs. Each new
moment gives you a sufficient load to carry, and I’ve learned,
especially as my arms have grown shakier, that there are times
when the wisest thing to do is to let go.” - Michael J. Fox
“For everything this disease has taken, something with greater
value has been given - sometimes just a marker that points me
in a new direction that I might not otherwise have traveled. So,
sure, it may be one step forward and two steps back, but after
a time with Parkinson’s, I’ve learned that what is important is
making that one step count; always looking up.” - Michael J.
Fox

About Parkinson’s
More than 1 million American’s have PD
Symptoms include tremors, stiffness, rigidity, slowness in
movement, postural instability, and lack of facial expressions
Onset is usually gradual (occasionally rapid)
Other changes such as depression, sleep disturbance,
constipation, difficulty chewing, speaking and swallowing
Usually affects people over 50 - Michael J. Fox as diagnosed in
1991 at the age of 30

About the Michael J. Fox Foundation
Founded by Michael in 2000
Dedicated to finding a cure for Parkinson’s Disease and to
ensuring the development of improved therapies for those living
with Parkinson’s today through research
More than $142 million funded research since 2000