Optimism in a time of crisis

Optimism is a time of Crisis

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/10-reasons-to-add-optimism-to-your-life_n_5ceffc90e4b0888f89d295fa

Okay, I understand, we are in an awkward and difficult situation.  The world is sick (with COVID-19 or coronavirus), we’re stuck in quarantine mode, the economy is tanking, and we are pretty much helpful (or so it seems).

So, I thought I would do a couple of days of hope, optimism, coping, attitude adjustment and related topics.

So, today, Optimism!!

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How can you be optimistic when your world is falling apart.

I found the linked article and we’ll look at it - 10 reasons to add optimism to your life!!!

-1 Optimism can help you change your life!!

If you are in a rut, you can’t go out, you aren’t working, your retirement account is way down, our minds can join that downward spiral.  Think of good things - think of things you can do to help others - even now!!!  Yesterday I sent encouragement notes to my bridge group and to several of my friends.  I’ve posted funny stuff on Facebook - to put smiles on people’s faces (and my own too!!!) 

The article ends this point with this statement: “If you can believe it, you can achieve it.”.  You person who sees a CAN change your life - you can be the encourager, the optimist, the person who sees a bright tomorrow!!!  Get a vision of health or a prospering economy, of abundance.  Don’t despair, this too shall pass!!!

-2 Optimism can strengthen immunity and defend against stress.

The article says it quite well.  

“Having a positive attitude can help you keep from getting sick, especially when dealing with stress. In one study, researchers found that optimistic people generated more antibodies and were better able to reduce inflammation. In another landmark study, researchers followed a group of law students over time and found that those who were more optimistic had a stronger immune response than those who were more pessimistic. When the same students were feeling less optimistic, their immune response was weaker, showing that our outlooks might influence our body’s ability to respond to illness.”  

Yes, your attitude (and my attitude) can help you from getting sick!!!  

-3 Optimism is good for your relationships.

Various studies point to having an optimist (this is going to get better) in a marriage/relationship really does keep the couple together.  

In this time of a pandemic virus, it is easy to be thinking “doom and gloom”.  Again, this too shall pass.  

In the past, I have described myself as a Pollyanna and as a “disgusting morning person” (that is, one spread too much love and joy for the average person).  That is just optimism oozing out of me!!!

-4 Optimism can help you be an better innovator

If you are trying to make something new (even a better meal), if you mess up, the pessimist says “I never do anything good”, while the optimist says “Well, I learned what not to do on the next try.”  

As an inventor, Edison made 1000 unsuccessful attempts at inventing the light bulb. Once a reporter asked. "How did it feel to fail 1,000 times?" 

Edison replied..."I didn't fail 1,000 times. The light bulb was an invention with 1,000 steps."

-5 Optimism can make you a better leader!!

Although it isn’t quite the same, I like motivational quotes:  “An army of rabbits led by a lion will defeat an army of lions led by a rabbit.”  Optimistic leaders say “We can do this!!!  

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My friends keep going!!!  Let’s sing the old civil rights ballad:  We shall overcome:

We shall overcome We shall overcome We shall overcome some day Deep in my heart, I do believe That we shall overcome some day

As I wrote before:  “This too shall pass”

More tomorrow on optimism!!

Hugs!!

Karen