Optimism a Creed

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Jun 9, 1904

ALTHOUGH Dr. Oliver Wendell Holmes never practised medicine, those who knew him intimately say that he cheered more sinking invalids, cured more sick people, and did more good, even from a medical standpoint, than many of his young physician friends. The secret of his power lay in his overflowing cheerfulness and kindness of heart. He scattered “flowers of good cheer” wherever he went. With him optimism was a creed. “Mirth is God’s medicine,” he declared; “everybody ought to bathe in it. Grim care, moroseness, anxiety—all the rust of life—all ought to be scoured off by the oil of mirth.” Everywhere, and on all occasions, he emphasized the value of cheerfulness. “If you are making a choice of a physician,” he said, “be sure you get one with a cheerful and serene countenance.” For the sunniness of his disposition the genial optimist gave credit to his childhood’s nurse. She it was who taught him never to dwell on unpleasant incidents. If he hurt his toe, or skinned his knee, or bumped his forehead, she would not hold his mind on the hurt by pretending to punish the floor or the chair, or whatever he had fallen against, but would immediately claim his attention for some pretty object, or charming story, or happy reminiscence. He began to store his sunshine in youth, and all through the years of his long life he scattered it wherever he went. If you want to be happy, and to make others happy, be cheerful.—Northwestern Christian Advocate.