Although it’s true that “every cloud has a silver lining”
and that the “glass can be seen as half full”, it is also important to not to
be deluded by extreme optimism and thus shy away from the realities of life.
Pessimism has few benefits as it is the main reason why
people develop self-sabotages, are low in energy and motivation, and quit their
efforts early. Pessimists are known to have higher blood pressure, greater
difficulty managing anxiety and stress, and tend to have more interpersonal problems.
They also tend to be more cautious, avoid risks, and be more fearful. Pessimism
is very often a self-fulfilling prophesy in which negative thoughts are prone
to generate negative reactions.
There is also a great quantity of research that supports the
notion that optimism and positive thinking and essential for success and
well-being. Positive thinking has been shown to reduce tension, enhance happiness
and emotional wellness, and even improve one’s state of health such as cardiovascular
health, metabolism, etc. Not only are those with optimistic attitudes shown to
be more resilient in the face of challenges but they have the tendency to
engage in healthier lifestyles, functional habits, successful enterprises, and
cope with stress more easily than their pessimistic counterparts.
Considering the benefits to “seeing the light at the end of
the tunnel”, is there such a thing as being “too optimistic”? When wearing
rose-coloured glasses prevents one from seeing reality for what it is, then
yes. A few examples may include ignoring a health issue due to the belief that
it will take care of itself, putting aside certain precautions with the
assumption that things will turn out well in the end, or engaging in risky
activity without the prudence to plan carefully beforehand. Being overly
optimistic is also a leading factor in stagnation; being content with present
troubles rather than overcoming one's problems. Things do not always fall into
place just because you want them to. They more often than not require attention,
dedication, and reasonable insight.
Optimism, therefore, is useful only when there’s a foot in
realism. This is what then becomes Proactivity.
Being proactive is what allows one to see the possible in the impossible and
render a challenge into a successful experience. It is using common sense and adequate
discretion in order to face the facts for what they are and use them to
overcome any challenge that stands in the way of your goals.
Since a very early age I have traveled the world in search of knowledge, experience and clarity that would provide me the foundation I needed to meet my personal goals in life. though many of these goals are still to be unraveled to me, my most important and biggest goal is the one of teaching people how they can better themselves. I do this through medical advice using natural medicine, through the knowledge of hindering neural mechanisms, and through frequent informative presentations in which I try to make the "mind-environment" connection better understood.
