More than 700 people attended the YMCA of Greater Long Beach 40th Annual Good Friday Breakfast in the Walter Pyramid on the California State University, Long Beach campus.
Former Long Beach Mayor Beverly O’Neill said she was humbled to have been selected as the person to read aloud the Bible passage, which described the crucifixion, death, burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. The passage ends with Christ telling His followers, “Lo, I am with you always to the end of the world.”
Later, keynote speaker Dr. Robert C. Maxson–who is the former president of CSULB–told the audience, “Growing, developing and learning is not just for the young.” He encouraged listeners to break out of the herd mentality, take on new challenges and get actively involved in making their communities better places in which to live.
“The greatest source of strength and energy is personal happiness,” he added. “And happiness is nothing but a state of mind–it’s a decision.” He explained that to succeed in life and to make a difference in the world, people need to understand that events, circumstances and other people’s behavior do not really have the power to make us unhappy people. “We all have seasons of sadness,” he said. “But you decide whether you want to be a happy or unhappy person (during the course of most of your life).”
