From one of the weekly inspirational newsletters I get - I had to share it because it resonates so deeply within me. I sometimes feel pessimistic or negative. Yet have been told time and time again by people in both my professional and personal worlds that I'm a very positive person, and a blessing to speak to. As much as we know positive people in our lives, remember to tell them they are. I promise, they need to hear it and you will help replenish their sandbucket!
Choose Optimism
I love to be around optimistic people, don't you? They can inspire us to dream big plans and to take courageous actions. They give us the confidence to look within and discover that we, too, have an unlimited supply of joy, knowledge, and love.
How can some people be so optimistic about life and others so pessimistic? Perhaps, a better question is what makes a person optimistic or pessimistic? I believe that the foundation is their thinking, which controls their attitude and their vision.
You may know someone (or have read about someone) who has overcome tremendous adversity and lived a life that made a positive impact on others. Perhaps they were a school teacher, a mother, a relative, a store clerk, a co-worker, or a business leader. They may be famous, or they may be known to only a few. It does not matter. But one thing likely stands out; their optimism is undeniable.
How do they do it? Why are these people so optimistic about life? It all starts with a thought, an idea, a hope, a dream --a choice. They decided to be optimistic. They made up their mind to change how they think - to change their attitude - to change their vision. They decided to listen to the voice for optimism.
Are they "special" people? Yes, in a way, they are "special." And so are you. They are "special" because they made the choice to take control of their thoughts. All of us can do the same thing. No matter what happens in our life, we always get to choose how we will respond - with pessimism or with optimism.
Consider the following "Creed for Optimists" that Christian D. Larsen wrote in 1912. Perhaps it will inspire us to carefully choose our thoughts, our attitude, and our vision to liberate our full potential.
Creed for Optimists
Be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.
Talk health, happiness, and prosperity to every person you meet.
Make all your friends feel there is something special in them.
Look at the sunny side of everything.
Think only of the best, work only for the best, and expect only the best.
Be as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.
Forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.
Give everyone a smile.
Spend so much time improving yourself that you have no time left to criticize others.
Be too big for worry, too noble for anger, and too strong for fear.
Christian D. Larsen
Affirmation for the Week:
“I will monitor my thoughts. As I do, I will recognize that I can choose to be optimistic as I respond to both expected and unexpected situations in my life.”
Have an optimistic week!
Copyright 2008 by Mary Rau-Foster. All rights reserved. However, if you find this information helpful, we grant you permission, and strongly encourage you, to print this page and put it on your bulletin board. Thank you.
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