New Thought · 1866–1954
Christian D. Larson
Christian D. Larson was an American New Thought author and pioneer of optimism-based personal development. He taught that every person possesses unlimited inner resources and that consistent positive thinking transforms both character and circumstance. His 'Optimist Creed' became one of the most widely shared inspirational texts of the 20th century.
Key Works
- Your Forces and How to Use Them
- The Optimist Creed
- Mastery of Self
- The Hidden Secret
- How to Stay Well
The Dream.Align.Rewire Perspective
The neuroscience behind Larson's teaching
Larson's prolific optimism-based approach is the closest New Thought comes to positive psychology as a formal discipline. His emphasis on the 'promise yourself' principle maps to self-compassion research — treating yourself as you would a good friend is one of the most evidence-backed interventions for sustained positive change. His insistence on consistency over intensity anticipates what we now know about neuroplasticity: small repeated actions create stronger and more durable neural pathways than occasional dramatic ones.
The Annotated Edition
Read the original — with Christie's annotations
Christie L. Russell's annotated edition of Christian D. Larson's key works adds the neuroscience, NLP, and CBT commentary that places each passage in its modern context — making century-old wisdom immediately actionable.
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Apply the Teaching
DAR workbooks & tools for Larson's work
The Optimist's Practice — 30-Day Workbook
Build Larson's optimism principles into daily habits using positive psychology methods.
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