Enjoy Your Life:
Change Your Point of View "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? Article by: Clem C. Benton, Jr. http://www.12path.com/34/BCC/ |