Optimist

I like to think of myself as an optimist. In 1912, Christian D. Larson wrote the following affirmation, later titled “The Optimist Creed” whose shorter version was adopted by Optimist International in 1922. It is quoted here from Science of Mind 71 (June 1998):

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Promise Yourself

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

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

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

To look at the sunny side of everything and make your 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 you are about your 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 you meet.

To give so much time to improving yourself that you 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 yourself 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 your side, so long as you are true to the best that is in you.

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A fun daily affirmation exercise would be to replace all of the “To’s” with “I” to rewrite the above in first person. Read this aloud first thing each morning and then go about your daily activities acting out the truth of each statement.

Being an optimist is about having personal standards with your thoughts and actions, essentially, being responsible for the energy you are bringing into the world.

Intend the positive in your life…show up and give your best...be an optimist.

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