Begin with praise and honest appreciation.

Fear doesn't exist anywhere except in the mind.

There is a certain degree of satisfaction in having the courage to admit one's errors.

...Be grateful for what you have to be thankful for instead of complaining about the little things that annoy you.

Criticisms are like homing pigeons. They always return home.

Today is the only time we can possibly live.

Be a balanced optimist. Nobody is suggesting that you become an oblivious Pollyanna, pretending that nothing bad can or ever will happen. Doing so can lead to poor decisions and invites people to take advantage of you. Instead, be a rational optimist who takes the good with the bad, in hopes of the good ultimately outweighing the bad, and with the understanding that being pessimistic about everything accomplishes nothing. Prepare for the worst but hope for the best - the former makes you sensible, and the latter makes you an optimist.