The supreme prayer of my heart is not to be learned, rich, famous, powerful,
or “good,” but simply to be radiant. I desire to radiate health, cheerfulness,
calm courage and good will. I wish to live without hate, whim, jealousy,
envy, fear. I wish to be simple, honest, frank, natural, clean in mind and
clean in body, unaffected—ready to say “I do not know,” if it be so, and to
meet all men on an absolute equality—to face any obstacle and meet every
difficulty unabashed and unafraid.
I wish others to live their lives, too—up to their highest, fullest and best. To
that end I pray that I may never meddle, interfere, dictate, give advice that is
not wanted, or assist when my services are not needed. If I can help people,
I’ll do it by giving them a chance to help themselves; and if I can uplift or
inspire, let it be by example, inference, and suggestion, rather than by
injunction and dictation. That is to say, I desire to be radiant—to radiate
life.