The Optimist's Creed

Opposites attract. It's true. Shawn and I are opposites--especially when it comes to the whole glass is half-empty/half-full statement. I'm a half-full girl. I see silver linings. I make the best of things. And when life gives me lemons, by gosh I make lemonade! I can't help it. It's the way I was made and I'm proud to be an optimist! Okay... so sometimes it comes back to bite me in the butt. But I'd rather think positively than assume that things aren't going to work out in my favor.

Brayden and I went to the mall to meet our friends for dinner. Our husbands were working and so we thought we'd treat the boys to Chick-fil-a. After dinner, Brayden and I browsed the mall for a bit (him in the stroller, of course). Cookies from Mrs. Fields, checked out the sale at Gap Kids and eyed some shoes in Aldo. On our way out, we stopped by Down to Earth--a great little shop by Belk that my friend, Gina Fox, owns. I adore her store. She has the most unique gifts and the BEST frames! Brayden continued to let me browse (that's so how it is with a 3-year old), so I stopped to read some cards on display. I came across one with a quote from Christian D. Larson. I had no one to give the card, but I purchased it anyway. I loved the message. It reads...

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.

The phrases in parens are not on the card, but are such strong statements that I wanted to include them. I'm sure all of you know at least one person who doesn't not follow this message--"The Optimist Creed." Don't get me wrong, please! I'm not saying that I am so positive all the time and never ever whine or pout over stupid stuff. I do! I most definitely let some things get the best of me. I totally know that this doesn't come easy for some. Some people have endured way more than I have ever known. I can't even imagine how hard that must be to move past those speedbumps--or ROADBLOCKS even--and try to "forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future." Or, "Look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true." Yes, we have our moments when we focus on certain things that aren't going "our way" and blow them out of proportion. It's so easy to gripe over finances or think about the things that we don't have. But is that valid? Definitely not compared to some. If some of my greatest fears came true, I can't say that I could have that attitude. But when it comes to the little things, I've found that the more you focus on them, the worse it gets. Do we attract this to ourselves? I'm not saying that we attract illnesses or natural disaster. That's not what I mean at all. But do we attract negativity?

The Secret is a movie/book that Oprah promoted a couple years ago. Did you see/read it? The author, Rhonda Byrne, says that your thoughts and words "write" your successes (or lack thereof). Do you find that the more positive you are--in thoughts, words and actions--the better your life is? It's very similar to the "act as if" mindset that if you act as if you are something (healthy, outgoing, etc.), then you will eventually become that way. Have you found that that has helped you through a tough time?

This totally went way deeper than I had anticipated. I'm always worried that I might offend someone by not saying what I mean. And if I did, I am so sorry! I just wanted to share the message on this card with the hopes that it inspires someone the way it did me. If one person is more optimistic and able to "live in the faith that the whole world is on {their} side so long as {they} are true to the best that is in {them,}" then I've made a small difference! And little is better than none! :)