Optimism for Upward Spirals in Life

Posted at March 31, 2009

Emotions Series

When you look out for the brighter side of life, you experience more positive events, become less stressed and enjoy yourself more. You end up creating more positive spirals in life. Optimism is a powerful emotion that steers one to life changing actions.

Being optimistic can bring better health and happiness. Optimism brings a positive mood, high morale, popularity, long life, success and freedom from stress.

Optimism can be learned. You can train yourself to interpret things in a more positive way. You can train yourself to look at a glass as being half full instead of being half empty. How do you respond when life doesn’t go your way? If you do not get the results you expected, do you give up, or do you up your game and try again?

What are upward spirals?

Have you ever had periods in your life where everything seems to be going well, and other periods when everything seems to be going all wrong?

We experience upward or downward spirals in life. Upward spirals mean success that breeds more success. Being optimistic helps steer us to action that improves our current situation. Optimism leads to actions that spur further success.

Optimism vs. Pessimism

Optimism is the feeling that all is going to turn out well. It is a general expectation of the best in all things. Optimists generally believe that people and events are inherently good, so that most situations work out in the end for the best.

Pessimism is the feeling that things will turn out badly. It means looking for the dark side and to expect the worst in all things. A pessimist is a person who expects the worst

The purpose of optimism is to help us thrive while the purpose of pessimism is to help us survive. Optimists are able to see opportunities, while pessimists see danger. What would you rather be; an optimist or a pessimist?

Optimism stirs people to action even when they fail. Pessimists like to think of themselves as more pragmatic and careful. An optimist may say “I tried and failed, maybe if I try again I will succeed”. A pessimist would say “I failed last time, there’s no point of trying again”.

Optimism and Networking

Optimists draw people towards them. Most people prefer to be near those who radiate positive energy. Optimism is contagious, it helps lift people up. It helps make and keep friends. Nobody wants to be surrounded by pessimists who spread gloom and bring them down. Uplifting souls are easier to network with. Improve your optimism in life and get a positive spiral in your networking efforts.

Optimism and Health

Optimists are less likely to die from any cause than pessimists. They are less likely to die from heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes or smoke cigarettes. Optimists are more likely to exercise and eat right. Optimists experience less stress, which means a stronger immune system.

Optimism and Relationships

Believing in your partner and your future together is a strong determinant of how you treat each other. Optimists see the best in their partners and take actions to improve their relationships. Pessimists on the other hand look out for the negative in their partners. Whatever the mind conceives becomes a reality.

Optimism and Careers

Optimists are more likely to succeed in careers. They see the best in people and seek out opportunities and take action to realize their goals. They believe in themselves and are more willing to take risks for career advancement. The more they advance or succeed in careers, the more optimistic they become.

Summary

Being optimistic helps people cope with life’s challenges. It improves health, mind and well being. This helps create positive upward spirals that breed more success.

How would you rate your optimism in various aspects of your life on a scale of 1 to 10?


Series Navigation«Live Courageously – Put Fear in its PlaceIn Pride we Ride»

Other articles you may enjoy:

  1. How to Beat the Odds in Your Life My dad took me aside at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Kenya on a fine September...
  2. Guy Seeking Goal It is not too late to set a major goal in life. A good goal...

If you enjoyed this post, please consider to leaving a comment or subscribe to the feed and get future articles delivered to your feed reader or via email.

Comments

9 Responses to “Optimism for Upward Spirals in Life”

Leave Comment

(required)

(required)