The Optimist’s Creed was authored in 1912 by Christian D. Larson. It was adopted as Optimist International’s creed in 1922. As an eternal optimist myself, I think it is a wonderful statement that the world could do better heeding. Although one can always find reasons to be pessimistic, it is clear to me that choosing that outlook insures more reasons for pessimism, where contrariwise, opting for optimism can always uplift and help a situation. I’ve seen it do so countless times, making me a firm believer. I hope you find the statement below inspiring, and that it can buoy and support your efforts. You may want to print it out and refer to it often!

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 worth while 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