The bottom line is that, although any kind of optimism needs to be based on the truth, there often remains a choice whether to embrace the possibility of practical change or sink into cynicism and despair. The insistence that one remain focused on positive action and not fantasy is another important caveat, so long as we do not eschew inspiring visions entirely.
Visions, too, have their place. As Berger noted, the danger comes when one becomes seduced by fantasy and uses it as a substitute for practical action. If we really want a better future—as individuals, as communities, or as a species—we’re going to have to work for it.
Matthew Colborn has a doctorate in biological psychology and is a freelance writer with a special interest in psychology and the future. He is currently writing a book on consciousness for publication in 2011. His previous article for THE FUTURIST was “How Attitudes Shape Our Future,” published in January-February 2007. His email address is Matt.Colborn@googlemail.com.
Feb 8, 2010
... Thou Shall Prosper: Ten
Commandments for Making Money. Hoboken, NJ: J Wiley & Sons, 2002.
Larson,
Christian D. Your Forces and How to Use
...www.docstoc.com/docs/.../Attract-Money-Now-by-Joe-Vitale -
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A biography of
Christian D.
Larson, influential early New Thought leader.
... The
Optimist Creed was authored in
1912 by Chistian D.
Larson, appearing in
...christianlarson.wwwhubs.com/ -
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Jun 22, 1998
... It was originally published in
1912 in a book titled:
"Your Forces and How to Use Them." The author was
Christian D.
Larson,
...websyte.com/alan/opticrd.htm -
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Dec 9, 2005
... written by
Christian D.
Larson almost 100 years ago.
The
Optimist Creed was authored in
1912 by Chistian D.
Larson, appearing in his book
...www.squidoo.com/OptimistCreed -
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The Optimist Creed was authored in 1912
by Chistian D. Larson, appearing in his book:
Your Forces and How to Use Them.
It was adopted as Optimist International's creed in 1922.
Many have found inspiration in The Optimist Creed.
In hospitals, the creed has been used to help patients recover from illness.
In locker rooms, coaches have used it to motivate their players.
The following version, without the title "The Optimist Creed,"
is quoted from Science of Mind 71 (June 1998):
Promise Yourself
To be so strong (Alt-cite) 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.
A somewhat different and shortened version of this is the one adopted
by Optimist International, which publishes it on the Web.
2007-2008 Essay Contest. (translated from French)
By Elisabeth Richard, age 15 Sponsored by Club Optimiste d’Iberville Quebec South District
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