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OPTIMISM COUNTS

March is National Optimism Month

 

Gail King

Gail
Almost 3000 years ago, King Solomon wrote the Book of Proverbs (among others) in the Bible. In Proverbs King Solomon states, “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones, Proverbs 17:22. Scientists today not only agree with King Solomon but also strongly recommend a merry heart. Webster’s dictionary defines optimism as an inclination to put the most favorable construction upon actions and events or to anticipate the best possible outcome. Conversely pessimism is defined as an inclination to emphasize adverse aspects, conditions, and possibilities or to expect the worst possible outcome. So, if it is good for us to be optimistic and merry then why is it so difficult? I will attempt to answer that question and give you tips on how to be more optimistic in your outlook and in your life. Maryann Troiani, Psy.D., co-author of the book, SPONTANEOUS OPTIMISM: Proven Strategies for Health, Prosperity & Happiness was the first to coin March as National Optimism Month. What does it mean to be optimistic or pessimistic? We already defined these words how about we look at a few examples? Do you more often than not think something bad is going to happen? Eyeore, from A.A.Milne’s Winnie the Pooh collection of stories was pessimistic. He thought no one ever came to visit him, he expected his tail to fall off and he even grew to enjoy blustery days because he never had a more positive expectation for the weather. Whenever we view things, relationships and circumstances as negative or being bad we are said to be pessimistic. Don’t be disheartened, optimism is a learned behavior and is when we view things, relationships and circumstances as positive or being good. I believe we choose our behavior and choosing to be positive and optimistic is the first step to a healthier and happier you!

Maryann Troiani suggests these four tricks to becoming more optimistic in 4 weeks. During the first week in March focus on “De-Toxing Your Mind.” You choose to focus on either negative or positive thoughts or things. Pessimistic people focus on depressing things like potential panic attacks in public or catching a cold in the doctor’s office. They expect the worst to happen. Optimistic people expect the best to happen and focus on finding solutions if something else happens. So, this week when pessimism rears its ugly head, stop complaining and immediately search for a solution.

During the second week of March focus on the numbers. Many of us are unaware of exactly how many times during a single day we have a pessimistic thought so start keeping track. Carry a small notebook with you and when you have a negative thought mark it down. Please don’t just focus on the negative. For every negative thought you experience, stop, think of a positive thought and then write it in the same small notebook. The trick is by the end of the week to decrease the number of negative thoughts you are thinking. Before long you will learn to think more positively or you will think of solutions to your problems before you allow any negative thoughts to slip through.

The third week of March you should clean house of all your friends who drain you emotionally, physically and spiritually. Avoid people who are constantly draining you of all your positivity by their complaining and negativity. Some people are simply Eyeores and cannot ever find anything good to say. If you are wondering who these people are in your life take inventory quickly. They are the friends and acquaintances that criticize and sabotage your dreams and aspirations. Other “drainers” could be situations, circumstances and habits that are preventing you from living up to your “positive or optimistic potential.” If you choose to be optimistic and happy then you must limit your exposure to pessimistic and negative people and situations.

Finally, in week 4 of March, you must “act like an optimist.” How do optimists act? They walk and stand tall and their vocabulary is filled with upbeat, cheerful words. Our word choice affects our mood and spirit tremendously. Rather than saying (or thinking), I can’t use I can or I will…” The more cheerful our thoughts and words the more optimistic and happy we will tend to be. This week, use upbeat words and watch how you carry your body. Use the word choices and body posture of optimistic people. Dr. Troiani suggests if you use each of these techniques during National Optimism Month, you will become more happy and optimistic. These steps are easy to implement and will create a positive domino effect with people in your life.