Except they don’t because we’re in the middle of a pandemic!

But, for argument’s sake, let’s assume they’re wearing full PPE and are being live streamed via Zoom.

The conference is entitled “Hope, for people who think positive thinking has a lot to answer for!”

First up – Norman Vincent Peale, author and Minister:

“The tough minded optimist is a hard headed and factual realist. They see all the difficulties and see them straight but still believe in better outcomes than appear likely at the moment”

Next – James Stockdale, former Vietnam POW:

“You must never confuse faith that you will prevail in the end (which you must never lose) with the discipline to confront the most brutal facts of your current reality, whatever they might be”

And finally – Viktor Frankl, Holocaust survivor:

“Forces beyond your control can take away everything you possess except one thing, your freedom to choose how you will respond to the situation”

In her closing remarks, the Chair, and I do mean a chair… with a laptop on so she can address us from the comfort of her shed in the garden, concludes:

“Face the reality of life right now with hope and perspective knowing that whatever is thrown at you – you’ve got it!