Published: March 1, 2026

By John Coleman

“Forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future. Give everyone a smile. Spend so much time improving yourself that you have no time left to criticize others. Be too big for worry and too noble for anger.” — Norman Vincent Peale

That’s quite a list, isn’t it? But honestly, it’s the kind of outlook I think we all need right now. Life pulls us in so many directions—work stress, family pressures, the daily grind—and it’s way too easy to get stuck replaying old mistakes or dwelling on things we can’t change. Peale’s words are a reminder to lay that stuff down and look forward again.

“Give everyone a smile.” I love that. A smile doesn’t fix every problem, but it sure changes the atmosphere. It costs nothing, yet it can lift someone’s spirit in a way we may never see. That’s a kind of ministry we can all do, even in the grocery line or the hallway at work.

And the bit about focusing on improving yourself instead of criticizing others? That one really hits home. It’s so much easier to spot someone else’s issues than to face our own. But when we shift our energy toward growth—becoming more patient, more forgiving, more grounded—we end up helping everyone around us too.

Then there’s my favorite part: “Be too big for worry and too noble for anger.” That’s the kind of maturity that comes from trusting God deeply. Worry shrinks your joy, and anger steals your peace. When faith is larger than fear and grace is stronger than frustration, life feels a lot lighter.

So today, maybe start with one small thing from that quote—smile more, stress less, or give yourself grace to start fresh. Better tomorrows begin right there.

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John Coleman is the Chief Content Officer for the Master Life Coach Training Institute, a university academic counselor and professor of psychology and the Bible, a certified life coach, and a pastor.