"Two men look out through the same bars: One sees the mud, and one sees the
stars. "- Frederick Langbridge, A Cluster of Quiet Thoughts
If you’ve
placed second in a writing contest, will you jump for joy and push for better
results the next time or will you be discouraged and find an excuse not to join
again?
In life, you are always filled with choices. You may opt to have a
pessimist’s view and live a self-defeated life or you may decide to take the
optimist’s route and take a challenging and fulfilling life.
So why
nurture an optimist’s point of view? And why now?
Well, optimism has been
linked to positive mood and good morale; to academic, athletic, military,
occupational and political success; to popularity; to good health and even to
long life and freedom from trauma.
On the other hand, the rates of
depression and pessimism have never been higher. It affects middle-aged adults
the same way it hits younger people. The mean age of onset has gone from 30 to
15. It is no longer a middle-aged housewife’s disorder but also a teen-ager’s
disorder’ as well.
Here’s how optimists are in action and researches that
back up why it really pays to be an optimist:
Optimists expect the
best
The defining characteristic of pessimists is that they tend to
believe bad events, which will last a long time and undermine everything they
do, are their own fault.
The truth is optimists are confronted with the
same hard knocks of this world. What differs is the way they explain their
misfortune---it’s the opposite way. They tend to believe defeat is just a
temporary setback, that its causes are confined to this one
case.
Optimists tend to focus on and plan for the 'problem' at hand. They
use 'positive reinterpretation. ' In other words, they most likely reinterpret a
negative experience in a way that helps them learn and grow. Such people are
unfazed by bad situation, they perceive it is a challenge and try
harder.
They won’t say “things will never get better, ” “If I failed
once, it will happen again” and “If I experience misfortune in one part of my
life, then it will happen in my whole life. ”
Positive expectancies of
optimists also predict better reactions during transitions to new environments,
sudden tragedies and unlikely turn of events. If they fall, they will stand up.
They see opportunities instead of obstacles.
People respond positively to
optimists
Optimists are proactive and less dependent on others for their
happiness. They find no need to control or manipulate people. They usually draw
people towards them. Their optimistic view of the world can be contagious and
influence those they are with.
Optimism seems a socially desirable trait
in all communities. Those who share optimism are generally accepted while those
who spread gloom, panic and hysteria are treated unfavorably.
In life,
these people often win elections; get voted most congenial and sought for
advice.
When the going gets tough, optimists get tougher
Optimists
typically maintain higher levels of subjective well-being during times of stress
than do people who are less optimistic. In contrast, pessimists are likely to
react to stressful events by denying that they exist or by avoiding dealing with
problems. Pessimists are more likely to quit trying when difficulties
arise.
They persevere. They just don’t give up easily, they are also
known for their patience. Inching their way a step closer to that goal or
elusive dream.
Optimists are healthier and live longer
Medical
research has justified that simple pleasures and a positive outlook can cause a
measurable increase in the body's ability to fight disease.
Optimists’
health is unusually good. They age well, much freer than most people from the
usual physical ills of middle age. And they get to outlive those prone to
negative thoughts.
So why not be an optimist today? And think positively
towards a more fulfilled life.
Why not look forward to success in all
your endeavors? Why not be resilient? Like everybody else you are bound to hit
lows sometimes but don’t just stay there. Carry yourself out of the mud and
improve your chances of getting back on the right track. And why not inspire
others to remove their dark-colored glasses and see life in the bright side?
stars. "- Frederick Langbridge, A Cluster of Quiet Thoughts
If you’ve
placed second in a writing contest, will you jump for joy and push for better
results the next time or will you be discouraged and find an excuse not to join
again?
In life, you are always filled with choices. You may opt to have a
pessimist’s view and live a self-defeated life or you may decide to take the
optimist’s route and take a challenging and fulfilling life.
So why
nurture an optimist’s point of view? And why now?
Well, optimism has been
linked to positive mood and good morale; to academic, athletic, military,
occupational and political success; to popularity; to good health and even to
long life and freedom from trauma.
On the other hand, the rates of
depression and pessimism have never been higher. It affects middle-aged adults
the same way it hits younger people. The mean age of onset has gone from 30 to
15. It is no longer a middle-aged housewife’s disorder but also a teen-ager’s
disorder’ as well.
Here’s how optimists are in action and researches that
back up why it really pays to be an optimist:
Optimists expect the
best
The defining characteristic of pessimists is that they tend to
believe bad events, which will last a long time and undermine everything they
do, are their own fault.
The truth is optimists are confronted with the
same hard knocks of this world. What differs is the way they explain their
misfortune---it’s the opposite way. They tend to believe defeat is just a
temporary setback, that its causes are confined to this one
case.
Optimists tend to focus on and plan for the 'problem' at hand. They
use 'positive reinterpretation. ' In other words, they most likely reinterpret a
negative experience in a way that helps them learn and grow. Such people are
unfazed by bad situation, they perceive it is a challenge and try
harder.
They won’t say “things will never get better, ” “If I failed
once, it will happen again” and “If I experience misfortune in one part of my
life, then it will happen in my whole life. ”
Positive expectancies of
optimists also predict better reactions during transitions to new environments,
sudden tragedies and unlikely turn of events. If they fall, they will stand up.
They see opportunities instead of obstacles.
People respond positively to
optimists
Optimists are proactive and less dependent on others for their
happiness. They find no need to control or manipulate people. They usually draw
people towards them. Their optimistic view of the world can be contagious and
influence those they are with.
Optimism seems a socially desirable trait
in all communities. Those who share optimism are generally accepted while those
who spread gloom, panic and hysteria are treated unfavorably.
In life,
these people often win elections; get voted most congenial and sought for
advice.
When the going gets tough, optimists get tougher
Optimists
typically maintain higher levels of subjective well-being during times of stress
than do people who are less optimistic. In contrast, pessimists are likely to
react to stressful events by denying that they exist or by avoiding dealing with
problems. Pessimists are more likely to quit trying when difficulties
arise.
They persevere. They just don’t give up easily, they are also
known for their patience. Inching their way a step closer to that goal or
elusive dream.
Optimists are healthier and live longer
Medical
research has justified that simple pleasures and a positive outlook can cause a
measurable increase in the body's ability to fight disease.
Optimists’
health is unusually good. They age well, much freer than most people from the
usual physical ills of middle age. And they get to outlive those prone to
negative thoughts.
So why not be an optimist today? And think positively
towards a more fulfilled life.
Why not look forward to success in all
your endeavors? Why not be resilient? Like everybody else you are bound to hit
lows sometimes but don’t just stay there. Carry yourself out of the mud and
improve your chances of getting back on the right track. And why not inspire
others to remove their dark-colored glasses and see life in the bright side?
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