In Defense of Optimism

"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 made a bad decision at work that wound up in a loss, will
you jump for joy and push for better results the next time or will
you be discouraged and find an excuse not to stick your neck out
and attempt big things 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 live a challenging and fulfilling
life.

In an increasingly cynical society, optimism has, in many circles,
become synonymous with naivety and foolishness. In fact, when I was
growing up, someone thought to be too happy and too optimistic
would be called a "Pollyanna."

Well, I think Pollyanna got a raw deal. What was her big crime? She
always looked for things she could be glad about in the midst of
seemigly bad situations. And, in the end, when she was confronted
with possibly being paralyzed for life, it was the entire town
(that her "glad game" had positively affected) that wound up
bringing that message of hope back to her so she could have the
courage to move on. Am I missing something? Is this a bad thing?

One of my favorite theater productions is Les Miserables. So, I was
amazed when one of my business associates told me they saw it
and felt it was terribly depressing. While he was looking at the
horrible plight of those in the show, I was focused on the
indomitable spirit that allowed some to experience bits of joy in
their plight and empowered others to rise above their plight in the
end. (Note: this is not a social commentary on the French
Revolution as I believe lobbing off heads of aristocracy to be
pretty nasty business and a bad reaction to an equally horrible
system of injustice.)

So, what difference does it make? Don't we need to look at
things "realistically?" Why bother to be optimistic?

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, pessimism has been linked to growing rates of
depression. It affects middle-aged adults the same way it hits
younger people. The mean age of onset has gone from 30 to 15 ... no
longer a middle-aged homemaker's disorder but a teenager's
disorder, as well.

OPTIMISTS EXPECT THE BEST

The defining characteristic of pessimists is that they tend to
believe bad events will last longer than they usually do,
undermine everything they do and 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... Exactly theopposite way. They tend to believe defeat
is just a temporary setback, that its causes are confined to this
one case. And, if it truly was their fault, they're happy to know
so that they can make sure it won't happen again in the future.

Optimists tend to focus on the lessons within the 'problem' at
hand. They use 'positive re-framing.' 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."

Because optimists look for opportunities in times of crisis, they
are able to capitalize on them. In doing so, they will either
lessen the negative impact of their crisis situation, or, they'll
somehow find the opportunity within it to grow and improve and
build something spectacular out of the same crisis that cripples
another. Whether it is a John Walsh of America's Most Wanted, or
direct marketing millionaire, Jeff Paul, living in the basement of
a family member's house because his business went bust, history is
filled with those who took tragedy and turned it into triumph.

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.

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.

Optimists persevere. They don't just not 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.

We are all raised with different patterns of behavior. Optimism may
not be your natural state. It isn't mine. That is why I keep
filling my mind with great teaching and lessons from positive and
proactive thinkers. I fill the wall of my office with verses,
quotes and thoughts to remind myself of who I am and how I want to
be. One of these quotes is from George Bernard Shaw. It says:

"The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the
unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to
himself. Therefore, all progress depends on the unreasonable
man."

So why not be an unreasonable optimist today? And bring
progress to your own life and the lives of those around you.