Mid-week inspiration: Promise yourself

saw this posted in two different online places yesterday. Seemed worthy of resharing further, and good points to ponder as I move through the week. And this photo my mom sent me last weekend from their Canadian island paradise, well, it seems to fit the text too!

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 D. Larson, 1912

A couple of the lines are maybe a wee bit "Pollyanna, come out and play," for me, some days. But then I think, "Why not?" Why not believe the best and be optimistic? Doesn't mean reality isn't what it is, but I can make a choice to aim for the faith, the enthusiasm, the strength. Yep, the strength. Wishing that for you, too.