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"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?
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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 |
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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.”
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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.
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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? |
