Optimism is often lost when attention is drawn to the recession, natural disasters, wars, and violence. It may be hard to stay positive, but negativity can have a serious effect on one’s health. Various studies have concluded that a person’s mindset has a correlation to his or her health and overall quality of life. Excessive negativity can damage one’s self-esteem, social life and relationships as well as shorten your life span. Research has proven that people with severe negative thinking are more likely to contract disease. Optimistic people have faster recovery rates following medical procedures.
People may need a simple reminder, or a reason to smile and think, “Yeah, life is beautiful.” Grand Junction has a local organization specifically designed as a reminder to stay positive.
“We are ‘Meant for Movement’and we are the pioneers of the Stay Positive Movement,” founder Nicholas Moore said. “We are currently an organization on campus at Colorado Mesa University working toward non-profit status.”
Moore started the movement with some friends in 2008 and continue to spread the word.
“We are a social art movement that is concerned with creating positive change for our local and international community,” Moore said.
The group has a reputation for spreading positivity through cardboard signs with upbeat messages, T-shirts and bumper stickers. Members of the group stand around campus and at busy intersections.
Moore and other group members are also avid volunteers for the local and global community.
“In the last two years we have completed six major volunteer projects and have collaborated with many charities and organizations such as the CMU Outdoor Program, the Cancer Survivorship Program and Karis, Inc,” Moore said.
Their official website has pictures of “Stay positive” signs in India, Japan, and a number of other places including Grand Junction. Volunteers recently helped build an adobe home for an elder in Zambia after her home had burned down. The “Meant for Movement” group, the Outdoor Program and locals in Zambia came together and rebuilt her home. As a reminder to the community a positive message was written on the side of her home.
“We are also interested in encouraging and enabling others to create positive art of different mediums,” Moore said.
In efforts to gain a non-profit status, “Meant for Movement” is opening an art shop.
“By combining the power of music, painting, writing and other types of art, we can collectively produce artistic expression that exhibits positive energy,” Moore said.
According to the group’s facebook page, they have recently signed a lease for an art studio and office downtown. People of all ages will be welcome to produce artwork in various mediums.
“Meant For Movement” is free to join and all need is a piece of cardboard, a marker, and an audience to share your message with. Bumper stickers are available to the community and any donation is acceptable as payment for the sticker. Their website, staypositivenow.com, shares information about ongoing volunteer projects, pictures of where they have traveled, and various links to information.

lpratt@mavs.coloradomesa.edu