Life will give us many challenges throughout our lifetime.
Ever situation that is faced will have two polar perspectives by the optimist
and pessimist. The pessimist has the tendency to stress the negative and focus
on the gloomiest possible outcome. While the optimist will remain hopeful,
expecting a more positive result. Studies have consistently found that
optimistic thinking protects against depression and other emotional problems
like substance abuse. Maintaining a positive attitude will create a resiliency
that can protect you regardless of the level of stress you are experiencing.
Optimist
The majority of Americans believe that happiness is
attainable and work daily to reach that goal. With a positive attitude you will
see opportunity in every situation no matter how many obstacles are presented. Research
reports that the optimist has a different thinking pattern when faced with
challenges. The optimist tends to focus on the facts to determine alternative
ways to resolve the situation. They will appear hopeful even in situations that
are non-negotiable or when there is no immediate resolution to the
circumstances.
Everyone has the power to choose what they want to focus on.
Many times the thinking process is clouded by fear and the possibilities of
what may occur. Anytime fear is allowed to enter your emotions it will affect
your judgment and natural abilities. Fear is attached to potential outcomes
before they ever occur. You will not find fear in the present situations. It is
only found in your thoughts of future outcome. So when you focus on the present
and the current task you can remain positive about any dilemma you
encounter.
Temporary setbacks
Life will present daily challenges that will test your
optimistic attitude. You won’t be successful all the time. However if you are
willing to accept the challenge, you can learn from the information that your
mistakes have taught you. You can be more astute in assessing your options to
change the situation into a positive perspective or accept them for what they
are if you are unable to control the issue. You can focus on the present and
the task at hand. Look at all perspectives presented. Then reflect on what is important
to you and how to build on that. Affirm your strengths and the accomplishments
that you have made. That will empower you to overcome any hardship or obstacle
you face to be successful and happy.
When you seem unable to find anything positive in your life
and appear sad, irritable and hopeless you should seek professional help to determine
what services may be helpful. If you don’t have insurance there are several
community resources available that offer a sliding scale fee. Take the steps
that you need to have the quality of life you desire.
“A pessimist sees the
difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every
difficulty.” Winston Churchill
