This past week we went to Zion National Park for one of our Intensive Therapy Days. We are so lucky to have this National Park and many others in our backyard. It was a beautiful day to be outdoors enjoying the scenery. The focus of the day was on The Optimist Creed by Christian Larson. I have copied it below. This is something that we hope to adopt here in our program as a way for our youth to live their lives not only while they are here with us, but when they leave. We wrote in our journals throughout the hike and discussed The Optimist Creed. We hiked an amazing trail and had a great time.
The Optimist’s Creed by Christian D.
Larson
Promise
YourselfTo 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
C.D. Larson
Below are some pictures that we took throughout the hike.