OPTIMISM
Talk happiness. The world
is sad enough
Without your woes. No path is wholly
rough;
Look for the places that are smooth
and clear,
And speak of those, to rest the
weary ear
Of Earth, so hurt by one continuous
strain
Of human discontent and grief and
pain.
Talk faith. The world is
better off without
Your uttered ignorance and morbid
doubt.
If you have faith in God, or man,
or self,
Say so. If not, push back
upon the shelf
Of silence all your thoughts, till
faith shall come;
No one will grieve because your
lips are dumb.
Talk health. The dreary,
never changing tale
Of mortal maladies is worn and
stale.
You cannot charm, or interest,
or please
By harping on that minor chord,
disease.
Say you are well, or all is well
with you,
And God shall hear your words and
make them true.
by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
