The Optimist's Creed

One of my favorite bloggers, Loretta Mueller (who has been much better about keeping up with her writing all summer long than I have) wrote a wonderful entry in her blog today about keeping a positive attitude and the importance of friends. The motivational poem that she included, by Christian D. Larson, reminded me of a wonderful message I had saved a couple of years ago. When I went to review it because the message is just so powerful for me, I was stunned that the author was the same one that Loretta included in today's blog entry.  I have copies of this powerful message posted around the house to remind me of what I believe is most important in life.  It had faded into the background for me and I had not read it recently. Here is a copy of the message as well as a wonderful video of that same creed:

I Promise Myself

To be so strong that nothing can disturb my peace of mind.

To talk health, happiness, and prosperity to every person I meet.

To make all my friends feel that there is something worthwhile in them.

To look at the sunny side of everything and make my optimism come true.

To think only of the best, to work only for the best and to expect only the best.

To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as I am about my own.

To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.

To wear a cheerful expression at all times and give a smile to every living creature I meet.

To give so much time to improving myself that I have no time to criticize others.

To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.

To think well of myself and to proclaim this fact to the world, not in loud word, but in great deeds.

To live in the faith that the whole world is on my side, so long as I am true to the best that is in me.

Christian D. Larson

If you want a printable copy of this, click here.

To see a wonderful video of this same message: