Is optimism something that we’re born with, or is it similar to gardening, in that it needs the right conditions to truly grow and produce the best in you?
I started thinking about this in my garden, of all places. It's amazing how books can affect children for the rest of their lives. One of my very favorite books as a child was Pollyanna, also known as “the glad girl,” because of her optimistic outlook on life. |
Gardening has very interesting mind effects. For one thing you're in a very different space. It's almost like meditation, with a purpose that goes way beyond pulling weeds! If you're a gardener, you're an optimist. Simple as that. Why else would you always assume that this year will be your best one? In spite of the fact that last year was a terrible one?
See, there’s no real basis for it, but nevertheless you just know there's that possibility.
The optimist takes stock of the reality of a situation, then starts working on possibilities to improve it. You can think of it as a survival skill! It persists, no matter what the situation is, because that is the only way to survive.
Tragedies of our times
Millions of desperate refugees from overcrowded, poverty stricken countries are on the move by whatever means they can find, looking for a safe place to live. This event alone will irrevocably change life and even your culture as you know it. If you doubt that, read about all the pain in Europe as people try to adjust.
How about the huge, worldwide economic downturn? People said it would last for generations. Don't try telling USA that though - they've already gone through the pain, sorted it and happily started on the road to upturn!
But it brings some huge benefits to our country as well. Our imports are expensive. Going grocery shopping isn't fun because of produce high prices. But our exports are in huge demand, and that makes up for it. Holidays here are unsurpassed value for many countries now, and we’re reaping great benefits from that.
So training yourself for optimism is an important survival skill. If you want, you can find endless depressing stories. But if you're an optimist you can find others that balance them too. It takes the ability to assess, then work on solving the problem. Nothing like a nice big Eureka! to make your world right!
My good story of the day
So growing optimism is quite easy.
- Start with the grey cells in your brain. They have everything you need.
- Assess your situation that seems unlikely to succeed
- Think of ways you might improve or change it
- Try it out If it doesn"t work, try something different.
- Celebrate that you took the optimistic approach!
- It doesn't matter if it didn't succeed. Maybe next time will be the answer!
Vicki