Born To Be an Optimist

Hello Beautiful Souls!

Today, I really wanna talk to you about optimism. Optimism is vital in life, especially adult life. There will be challenges and tough times that are an unavoidable part of life’s journey. A person’s mindset during those tough times heavily influences the impact and outcome of a situation.

“The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.“

– Winston Churchill

An optimist, when faced with a problem, tends to find the upside to the situation and starts figuring out ways to solve that problem, or ways to turn it around.  A pessimist, however, immediately throws up his hands, and yells, “That’s it; it’s all over. I can’t handle this anymore.”  Or he will distance himself from the problem, pretending it doesn’t matter.  This is denial, and it never works.

According to the world’s foremost expert on optimism, Dr. Martin Seligman, everyone is born optimistic.  And yet, 95% of grownups are pessimists, not optimists. So, what goes wrong? Well, the isn’t one simple answer, but I believe that most people become pessimists because of the way society shapes us to think. We are told what’s practical, what’s acceptable, what’s possible even. The people close to us tell us about their negative experiences and situations, discouraging us all the more. We begin to think that failing is the norm. But this isn’t true at all! Our mindset, whether we or hopeful or doubtful, plays a major part in our success…or our defeat.

  If a person feels like something will go well or feels optimistic about it, it usually seems to go well. The same is true of the reverse.  When someone feels like something will go badly, it tends to do just that.

An indication that you are dealing with a pessimist is in a simple phrase they will use in stressful situations – “I can’t”.  The pessimist is helpless, powerless and it shows in his response.  The optimist responds with – “I can”.  The optimist is making a conscious choice. Positive, hopeful, and determined.

An optimist prefers to focus on what could go right as opposed to what could go wrong.

Think about the following statements:

• Optimists achieve their goals because they never give up.
• Optimists attract Success naturally.
• Optimists are happier, healthier, and more energetic than pessimists.
• Optimists are easier to be around, inspiring people around them to be positive.
• Optimists live longer and suffer from fewer and less severe diseases.
•  Optimists have a higher quality of life.

Which ones do you think are true? These are all probably true just by the fact that optimists’ positive thinking makes challenging situations “not that bad” after all. When you practice having a positive outlook, you are less affected by negativity.

Now true optimism is not sitting back, thinking positive thoughts, and hoping everything will turn out all right.  It’s choosing to focus on a positive aspect of the situation or learning a valuable lesson from the ordeal.  You face each situation, each problem, and each occasion with a positive attitude; and you always look forward to the “benefits” you will derive from it. You have a choice.  “Change your thoughts and change your world,” said Norman Vincent Peale. What it comes down to is that your attitude is a conscious choice.  If you choose pessimism, you’re choosing to see the downside of every situation, judge people unfairly, and live unhappily the rest of your life.  What an oppressive existence!

On the other hand, if you choose optimism, you’re empowering yourself to see the positive side of each challenge, seeing the good in people, helping them to see the good in life too.  Taking action to further improve your own life and living happily with friends and family who care about you.  Attracting all good to yourself. Choosing to be more optimistic and positive does not mean you won’t encounter difficult times, trauma, loss, and many challenges.  What it does mean is that you will have more power on your side to help you through those tough times. The more elevated your mind state is, the easier it is for you to rise above your circumstances.  You’ll bounce back faster and make better choices, rather than letting life just wash over you.  You’ll learn to be proactive instead of reactive.

If you’re not naturally optimistic and positive, don’t worry.  You can learn how to use your thoughts to change your attitude and emotions. Some days will be challenging, but you can do it.  Improving your optimism rate is one of the most important actions you can take to improve your life.  It doesn’t come automatically, though.  It takes effort. It takes deliberate, conscious awareness of your thoughts and feelings.  And then acting on that awareness.

Each time you think a negative thought, stop right there and turn it around to find the positive aspect of the situation. Do this each time and build on it.  It will become a habit to be positive and upbeat about your life.

Let’s try this:

Practice your ‘positive thinking’ and your ‘positive feeling’.  Give yourself permission to think new thoughts and feel new feelings.

You can be as optimistic that you will attract wealth for the things you want, like a new car or new house.  The positive thoughts and brain activity helps to push things to that end, and you will get there. 

So, I would say to you: Be Optimistic!  Expect the best out of life! Think and Act Optimistically.

Until Next Time, Beautiful Souls!