Former U.S. congressman and former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Jack Kemp was the speaker this past week for the Vickers Memorial Lecture Series at Kansas University.

It was an excellent presentation.

Kemp served as Sen. Bob Dole’s running mate in his unsuccessful presidential bid in 1996. He was a highly regarded professional football player and now is a successful businessman and serves on a number of boards of directors.

He is an avowed optimist and encourages people to realize the only real limits they face are those they place on themselves. He says a positive, optimistic attitude is essential if a person is to be successful, whether in sports, business or most any endeavor.

He asked his audience to imagine the results if a quarterback were to enter the team huddle and tell his teammates, “It sure is hot out here. Those guys on the other team are big and fast. I really don’t know if this play will work. It hasn’t in the past. But let’s go ahead and give it a try.

“What kind of enthusiasm does this approach and attitude instill in an individual?” he asked.

This same question or example could be used for the city of Lawrence and its residents. Do we approach opportunities with a half-hearted, less-than-positive attitude, or is there excitement, enthusiasm and a drive and commitment to succeed?

Regardless of a person’s political leanings, the Kemp address should have stimulated the majority of those in his audience. He hammered home the idea that every individual can make a difference, every person should aim high and be optimistic about the future. He pointed out the uniqueness and greatness of this country and the advantages Americans enjoy.

He acknowledged troubles and challenges and was critical of his own Republican Party for many of its actions or lack of action and vision. But overall, he was enthusiastic and positive. It should have been evident to all those in the Lied Center how he approached his job in the huddle when calling the plays as a professional quarterback.

There was nothing halfhearted or doubtful about it, but rather enthusiastic and confident.

This is the approach Lawrence residents and leaders should use when looking to the future and the opportunities that lie ahead for the city.