“Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.” Helen Keller
What happens to you when things around you are not working, are difficult, or are falling apart? Do you practice living consciously and with gratitude and optimism or do you sink into the depths of fear, panic or despair- cognitively and emotionally?
Ultimately, you are in charge of your responses to life events, other people, and things outside of your locus of control. You have learned coping skills and attitudes that grow with your life. It starts with what you tell yourself, then how you feel, and lastly the action steps that you take as a result of your thoughts and feelings. Even if you don’t know how, it is up to you to be responsible for how you manage your life. Optimism in particular when practiced consistently creates positive thinking, manageable and pleasant emotions, and positive action steps as life events naturally happen.
Typically, I do not share personal experiences yet my attitudes, training, wisdom, and opinions shine through. At the moment I am experiencing exactly what my written words describe. I am holding positive thoughts as things keep breaking and water keeps finding its way into my house as other things are getting fixed. While it is challenging, I feel my optimism is also being challenged. I realize all will be well and hope that I have a kind and generous insurance adjuster.
Optimism is the gift that this experience is bringing me. Things break and then get fixed. People falter and then they become stronger. Relationships change or evolve and each person can build their capacities for greater love and wisdom. This is only a house even though it is my home. It feels important to to focus on things getting resolved and repaired. It is important I know this as I build my business and heal from surgery, to keep a sunny outlook is the only path worth taking.
Studies show that optimism is about 25 percent inheritable, and then there are other factors that affect our positive mental attitude including historical environment, coping skills and socioeconomic status that are often out of one’s control. Yet that still leaves a solid amount of learning space to develop a more optimistic outlook as adults. So if you’re someone who tends to see the negative in a given situation, there’s hope.
“Positive thinking doesn’t mean that you ignore life’s stressors. You just approach hardship in a more productive way,” says Kimberly Hershenson, LMSW. Science shows that those with an optimistic outlook have better cardiovascular health and a stronger immune system, earn a higher income and have more successful relationships.
So whatever is going on and whatever you hope to come about, the gift of optimism is at your continual disposal. All you have to do is know that all will be well somehow and to cope with the gift of good thoughts and a positive attitude.
Live Inspired! ® Nina~
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