The Optimist Creed

My Uncle Lloyd was fun, funny, gentle and kind. He put a smile on everyone's face as soon as he came in the room. He and I formed the "cute club" and shared that tradition forever. So if you hear "you're cute" it's because you've been picked out by the cute club. Uncle Lloyd, like so many of my wonderful aunts and uncles, had a profound impact on my life.

I plan to post the obituary that Dad, Mom, and I did with Lori, Mark, and Boots help tomorrow after I scan in a picture.

My cousin Lori shared this with us today. These are words that were very important to Uncle Lloyd - he had them in his address book, log/planner book, beside his computer. He shared them with his children often. He really did live by these words and Lori asked that we share them with all. It is called 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 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.
Christian Larson