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 others, and to proclaim this fact to the world not in loud words 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 (1874-1954)

The Optimist’s Creed