The Sunny Side

Yesterday I was guest speaker at the Greensboro Optimist Club. I gave a speech based on my Follow the Glow post I wrote for Rick Smith, Author of The Leap. The members were wonderful and I enjoyed my interactions with them. When it came time to close the meeting, we all stood and recited the Optimist Creed, which was displayed on a felt scroll nearby for guests like me. I believe we all spoke the words from our hearts, but I had to read them while most everyone else recited them from memory.

In a world that many people claim is going down the drain—which I don’t buy; bad news gets most of the attention in our modern times—it’s refreshing to know people walk this earth carrying this creed within their hearts:

The Optimist Creed

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 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 countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile.

To give so much time to the improvement of 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.

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How many of these words and actions can you incorporate into your life today?

Comments

[Robert Lee]

The Optimist Creed: A wonderful guide to live by. Thanks, Chris.

[Stephanie Thomas]

What a way to start my day. Thanks for sharing it! Stephanie

[Melody]

You are the perfect person to speak to such a group. Thanks for sharing this great list for inspiring my day. I had no idea that there was such a creed OR club!

[Walker]

I also have spoken to an Optimist Club and it's pretty amazing to find a group committed to such positive, upbeat change. Admittedly I forget these wonderful simple ideas. So, I will print these out and post them on the whiteboard that hangs directly in front of me as I sit at the computer. Thanks for a good start to my Wednesday!

[David Horne]

You can only control your actions and your attitude. What a great creed to say out loud every day to guide your attitude. Thanks for sharing Chris.

[Dena]

How often do they meet? What's the criteria for membership? Would you be willing to lie for me as a reference...? :)

[Christopher Laney]

Thanks, everyone. I definitely thought it was a little hidden gem.

And Dena, that would be soooooooo wrong.

[Tony Piparo]

Hi Chris,

I used to belong to the Optimist club and loved that Creed. It is so inspiring and hopeful.

Tony

[Bob R.]

I love the Creed. It's going up on my wall today. Chris, I believe you have already incorporated many components of the Creed in previous Lessons from the Cockpit. Thanks

[kim e williams]

as a Rotarian, i would claim this is the second best credo among Civic groups. :)

thanks for this.

[Raef Mootassem]

I belong to this creed, no I am not a members, But I have been living those almost all my life. ;)

[Chuck Conley]

Chris,
Trying to catch up. Sorry we missed yesterday ...
Loved the post. Certainly a good creed to live by.
I need to try harder and plan to do so. God is good.
Chuck