Michael J. Fox recently released a new memoir called "Always Looking Up" and a similarly upbeat TV special called “Adventures of an Incurable Optimist.” I caught part of the show the other night. On it, he speaks with an array of individuals who have overcome serious challenges (financial, health-related) and remain tirelessly upbeat. He spoke to others, as well, who have a knack for bringing joy and happiness with them to work every day, which rubs off on those around them.

Optimism doesn’t come naturally to everyone. One doctor on the show said she believes it is a quality where both nature and nurture are at play. By now, nature has long since made us who we are, but nurture, I’d suggest, is something that doesn’t have to stop after childhood. We can nurture happy and healthy things in our own lives every day.

And where better to start working than at home, where we feel most safe and are free to be our true selves. Ask yourself -- what things in your surroundings make you feel upbeat and optimistic? For some, it’s a brightly painted wall. For others, it’s a top-of-the-line bed with the highest thread-count bedding. For me, it’s a quiet, sun-filled nook where my feet can go up, a cup of tea can go down and a book can be enjoyed.

So my theory is this: if we all just nurture our homes a bit, and create (at least) one place in our physical surroundings that puts a smile on our faces, we can all become more optimistic. And if we’re feeling optimistic, our families might too, and some part of that will be taken to our jobs, and our schools and our communities.

And wouldn’t all that be worth the nominal cost of a handyman? I think so.

[Photo: DeannaOodles via Flickr]