Thursday 4 March 2010

Optimism

Ingredients:
While scepticism is a form of self-protection, a habit of not making assumptions and realizing that things are not always what they seem, pessimism is assuming the worst, putting undue emphasis on the negative aspects of any situation. It can lead you to miss opportunities and be an escapist from problems when your actions could make a difference in resolving or improving a situation. Optimists on the other hand persevere in darkness, knowing that there’s a light at the end of the tunnel, but they also pause to reflect and learn from their difficulties, so their suffering leads to healing, what they lose makes space for new growth, and they are creative in harnessing circumstances to their advantage. In short, they have a can-do attitude that is unwavering combined with a wise imagination. “I shall not cease from mental fight, / Nor shall my sword sleep in my hand, / Till we have built Jerusalem, / In England’s green and pleasant land.” (William Blake, Jerusalem)


Directions:
It’s not what happens to you that matters but how you react to it. Take responsibility for whatever comes your way. But avoid negative people, feelings, habits and mind-entertainments where possible because these are superficial adversaries and not true challenges of the spirit. Let go of negative assumptions and beliefs. Do not limit yourself either in the depth or the breadth of your potential. Great things are possible with right effort and attitude. The past is not the future. You are the cause of your reality, not a consequence. Be the change you want to see in the world. When faced with a choice between two conflicting desires, it need not be a case of either/or… look for the third way that accommodates both. Do not make false sacrifices.

Set goals. Use negative experiences and positive experiences alike as character-building opportunities to help you make better decisions in future and better know yourself. Tension is necessary for growth, like a plant breaking through its shell and reaching for the light as it was destined to do, or the example of some trees that produce more fruit after a summer under stress lacking water. If you bring forth what is within you, what you bring forth will save you. Be flexible but strong in the face of obstacles and make progress step by step through the power of creativity as well as cumulative effort, balancing the long-term vision with the gathering force of the day-to-day. The point of tension is not in the past or the future, but in the now, so let go of worries, fears and wants, leaving your heart as light as a feather. Looking happy creates a happy self-image, and the belief in yourself is self-fulfilling.

Use positive affirmations and quotations to cement your can-do attitude. Remember life is short and brooding breeds indecision and wastes time. When it is time to act, act with courage and love. When it is time to rest and gather the force, rest with courage and love. Never stop learning. Teach others and see how the perspective this gives bypasses the ego’s defences. Teach yourself as if you are another. Be grateful. Spread the joy. Be compassionate to all without judging or expecting something in return. “Curse not the dark, but bring the light. For God did send help. God sent you.” (Joann Davis, The Book of the Shepherd)

8 comments:

  1. There is an excellent book called "Learned Optimism" by Dr. Martin Seligman.

    He has studied optimism for over 40 years now. He started out studying depression and decided to flip it and try to find the common denominator among optimists.

    He found a few very interesting things over the years. One is that optimism (or pessimism) is LEARNED - from your mother. The second is that if you're a pessimist, you can learn to be optimistic and he has exercises/formulas to do just that.

    What I found interesting is with another formula he created, he went back in time using this formula to "predict" the outcome of U.S. Presidential elections. His predictions were right. The candidate who was most optimistic was always the one who was elected.

    A really fascinating book.

    ReplyDelete
  2. PS - This song is absolutely beautiful. I love Sarah MacLachlan and I never heard this before!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Woah ... Jamintoo dear, I am so very impressed !

    All these Words flow with remarkable Wisdom and Intelligence.

    "While scepticism is a form of self-protection, a habit of not making assumptions and realizing that things are not always what they seem, pessimism is assuming the worst, putting undue emphasis on the negative aspects of any situation. It can lead you to miss opportunities and be an escapist from problems when your actions could make a difference in resolving or improving a situation."

    "When faced with a choice between two conflicting desires, it need not be a case of either/or… look for the third way that accommodates both. Do not make false sacrifices."

    "Be flexible but strong in the face of obstacles and make progress step by step through the power of creativity as well as cumulative effort, balancing the long-term vision with the gathering force of the day-to-day. The point of tension is not in the past or the future, but in the now, so let go of worries, fears and wants, leaving your heart as light as a feather. Looking happy creates a happy self-image, and the belief in yourself is self-fulfilling."

    "When it is time to act, act with courage and love. When it is time to rest and gather the force, rest with courage and love."

    "Never stop learning. Teach others and see how the perspective this gives bypasses the ego’s defences."

    It feels like ... IT IS ALL THERE !

    Thank you.

    Take care.

    ReplyDelete
  4. My husband modeled optimism for me... It was his greatest gift to me, I think. And now that he is down, I wish I could give it back.... hopefully, it is sinking in. ;-)

    great write!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Lee, thanks for that! I hadn't heard of him before. I'm not so thrilled by politicians using these theories to frame their public image, and curiously we're about to have elections in this country where the pessimistic party is the odds-on favourite to win, but really the majority doesn't like either main party nor any of the parties that much, so we have no choice.

    ReplyDelete
  6. But back on the subject, that's a very optimistic note that optimism can be LEARNED. The key idea I've gathered from what I could read of Segilman online is that we need to challenge the notion of our negative beliefs being Personal, Pervasive & Permanent, by asking Questions to see things in a more objective light, to avoid making assumptions, thoughtlessness etc.. So it's a form of "seeking guidance" from a more objective self through difficulty and playing to our strengths.

    And here's a great article about his ideas I found online.
    http://bettyphillipspsychology.com/id15.html

    ReplyDelete
  7. Catherine, thanks!

    I would add...
    -Be the person you want to be.
    -Be open to enlightening influences, signs and guidance; the moments that change you.
    -Faced with a negative emotion, hindrance or addiction, do not ignore or suppress it, but recognize it, stop!, ask questions like whether it's beneficial to you, and take action accordingly. It is like a passing cloud... expand the mind into the whole sky around it and surround it with other compassionate influences which can bring to bear.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I hope so to. To me, you, him, us, you plural and them, and anyone else I forgot to mention.

    ReplyDelete