More than Rose Colored Glasses

So everyone knows I am an optimist. I also happen to know that my optimism is irritating to people sometimes. I understand that of course since people often want to hang out in the negativity for awhile and wallow or complain a bit and that is okay as long as it is just a while I guess.

What many people may not know is that I was not just born this way I have cultivated my optimism over the years intentionally. As a young person coming from a highly dysfunctional, neglectful and violent home I was not bred on seeds of positivity and self- esteem. But what I did walk away with was a strong sense and desire that there was something different, better and more out there as well as a quiet knowing that it was up to me to find it.

These beginnings are what led me to search for answers and cultivate hope and optimism for a better and brighter future filled with good times and good people. I have not been disappointed. Sure, things do not go as planned; I have had excruciatingly painful moments and multitudes of struggles but the belief that more good is coming has not failed me and has kept me moving forward especially when things seemed bleak.

Hope… It is powerful and really is what optimism is all about.

Rather than look to the difficulties,traumas and trails in life as evidence of it’s futility and begin to to build a case for pessimism, see these as the reason to maintain and pursue a brighter attitude to prevail knowing that better days lie ahead as long as you choose to create them.

Winston Churchill said “If you are going through Hell, keep going”

Bad times serve us well to grow, point us in new directions and to motivate us to be, do and have more. Certainly, they are never times to hang out and stay stuck in.

Optimism has many benefits a few are:

It spurs us forward with new ideas and fuels our fire to take risks and be bold.

It is proven to increase health including better immunity and less heart disease.

It lessens depression, stress and anxiety.

It certainly is an attractive trait.

High achievers in all professions score well on optimism assessments, it breeds success.

It is more than just rose colored glasses. Optimism is about a hope that things can and will be positive. That you are capable to not only survive but thrive and do well. That no matter the challenge there is an upside and good outcome to follow. It is a choice of perspectives that encourages room to grow, expand and continue to pursue our dreams and ideals. It allows us to be happy and enjoy life more fully.

Choose to cultivate more optimism, the world will be brighter, people will be nicer and you will be more happy and successful as a result.