Nobody likes to be around a pessimist.
Pessimists are always telling you how bad things are and moaning that the glass of life is half empty.
But when you look on the bright side of life–when you are optimistic–people are more apt to enjoy your company and want to be around you.
According to researchers at Duke Medical Center, optimistic people are happier–and they live longer, healthier lives. We sometimes downplay the idea, “We are what we think,” but research, from a number of disciplines, indicates our attitude is crucial:
- Better health: In a study of 99 Harvard students, those who were optimistic at the age of 25 were significantly healthier at the checkpoint ages of 45 and 60 than those who were pessimistic. Don’t just watch what you eat; watch what you think as well.
- Less stress: Optimists believe in themselves and in their abilities; they just expect good things to happen. On top of that, when setbacks do happen, optimists are positive about overcoming their troubles and tend to view difficulties as positive, learning events. Pessimists, on the other hand, often feel they are trapped by circumstance—and that attitude brings on tremendous stress.
- Greater achievement: Pessimists see their performances as worse than they really are, which tends to affect future performance. Optimists, however, don’t have this worry; they see life as a journey—as a growing opportunity to improve and learn. Pessimists give up easily; optimists persist and turn their failures into successes. If you want to succeed, look on the bright side.
In large part, life is what you make it. Live it up and don’t let it get you down. The glass is half empty or half full, depending on the direction you are headed. If you are pouring into your life—and the lives of others—there will be plenty to share.
Melaleuca’s mission, Enhancing the lives of others by helping people reach their goals, is an optimistic statement. It reminds us that our goals are possible and worthwhile. It reminds us that we really do need one another, and that—together—we can overcome every difficulty and every setback that stands in our way.
Call someone you care about today. Encourage them to keep trying, to keep pushing forward. And let them know that you are on their side. Optimism is one of those things that increases when it is given away.
To get more, give more.
{ 0 comments… add one now }