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.
Purposes of The Optimist Club
To develop optimism as a philosophy of
life;
To promote an active interest in good government and civic affairs;
To inspire respect for law;
To promote patriotism and work for international accord and friendship
among all people;
To aid and encourage the development of youth;
In the belief that the giving of one's self in service to others will
advance the well-being of man, his community, and the world.
Many
have found inspiration in The Optimist Creed. In hospitals, the creed
has been used to help patients recover from illness. In locker rooms,
coaches have used it to motivate their players.
Optimist International adopted this creed in 1922. It was originally
published in 1912 in a book titled: "Your Forces and How to Use
Them." The author was Christian D. Larson, a prolific writer and
lecturer who believed that people have tremendous latent powers, which
could be harnessed for success with the proper attitude.