Optimism vs. Pessimism

I will always be intrigued by the old classroom illustration of “is the glass half-full or half-empty” because it proves how perspective changes everything. Has a negative perspective been preventing you from accomplishing your desires?

Some see the glass half-empty and others see it as half-full. While both answers are correct, the answer that we choose is vital because it determines how we think and behave. How do you view the glass?

We have been so programmed by society to see the bad that it has become the acceptable way from which we view the world around us. Society’s emphasis more on unfavorable situations have caused us to focus on the negative so much that we do not even realize what we are doing; it’s just natural.

Consider a childhood situation that left a negative impression on you and how it shaped your view in that particular area of your life or ways that the media has contributed to your perception of society.

The lens from which we view people and circumstances determines how we behave. If we think the lady suddenly swerved in front of us without warning did so because she simply was not paying attention while talking on her cell phone we might become angry and engage in road rage. However, what if she was talking to the camp director who just informed her that her son was found at the bottom of the pool unconscious and was being rushed to the hospital, we might react differently. We would probably dismiss the event entirely or even utter a prayer.

The old saying, “as a man thinks, so is he” has merit. Remember the classic children’s story, “The Little Engine That Could,” that prevailed up the mountain by encouraging himself saying, “I think I can, I think I can.” The same holds true and applies to every situation in life.

Likewise, if we think we “can’t” then we probably will not simply because of our corresponding behavior. What are the chances of someone who does not believe that they will ever be able to become a lawyer enrolling in law school? Our actions are determined by our outlook.

We must first become aware of and admit our natural tendency towards pessimism, then realize that we have control over how we view the situation – it is a choice. Lifelong pessimistic programming causes underlying automatic commitments (UACs) or negative beliefs that we hold true.

The keys to moving from pessimism to optimism are to not only understand that we have a choice of how to view our circumstances, but more importantly, our choice will also determine our behavior and ultimately shape the outcome.