Optimism and writing

Every once in a while, my husband and I decide to reclaim part of the storage area of our basement. It’s like exploring a fossil bed; remarkable and unexpected artifacts rise to the surface. When they do, they always make me think about where I’ve come from…and where I’m going.


Last time, I found precious treasure: small items belonging to my father. One of them was a framed copy of The Optimist Creed from the Optimist Club of Omaha. It describes the way he lived his life. Like us, he did creative work, but in electrical engineering. Like us, he was responsible for creating his own designs and his own business. And like us, he was successful (I’m practicing optimism!). I think his success was partly because of the words below...and it brought him the love and admiration of all who knew him.

As writers, our creative work can take a decade or more to reach a milestone, or completion, or success. It takes tremendous persistence and dedication. A supportive, cooperative community and constant encouragement are vitally important to us. Perhaps we could use The Optimist Creed, for the sake of ourselves and one another. So here it is, from Bob Wallin to you, with positive thoughts for your writing.



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 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.

--  Stormy