How Do You Become an Optimist?

[Selena_Kitt]

Does human nature ever really change?

Can a pessimist become an optimist?

I'm really wondering...

All you optimists out there, how do you do it??

 

[mdb913]

Yeah, I've always wondered how anybody can possibly be positive in this craphole of a world we currently occupy...at least without blatantly lying.

 

[impressive]

Not sure I know ANYONE who's optimistic about every aspect of their lives.

There are people who'd tell you that I'm overly focused on the negative.

And there are people who'd tell you that I can take a shit situation and make it beautiful.

They're both right. However, either -- optimism or pessimism -- involves projection into the future, and I'm just not wired that way. I'm about what I'm feeling right now -- in the moment. I move away from pain. That's all. Sometimes, I drag people along -- for better or worse.

 

[S-Des]

I get my information from a variety of sources, so I hear from many different points of view (rather than getting locked into one). I seek out people who have hope in their philosophies, then read/listen to their ideas. I actively seek to disassociate myself with negative people because their attitude will invade your life. As much as I can, I discuss ideas with others, and really listen to their thoughts, which helps me to identify potential problem areas in my own life. Also, I fight to keep a positive outlook for my daughter. She is the light of my life and I want to see her grow up with a positive outlook, which has a much better chance if she sees it in my life.

 

[English Lady]

I count my blessings.

I can wallow around in self pity as well as anyone and better than most but in the end I count my blessings and I realise how very much I've got.

My faith is integrated into my optimism as well. I have a God in my life who cares for me, who loves me unconditionally, who I can call on at any time for any reason. It's difficult to be negative when you have so much to be joyful about.

 

[Belegon]

While I do believe we can make certain decisions about the approaches we take and I absolutely believe it is possible for someone to train themselves to be more optimistic or more cynical in response to needs...

I don't think anyone can completely change the basis of their outlooks. I thnk at a certain level it is hardwired. Certainly there are some times people who care for me and don't have my focus wonder if I'm dense or nuts or just uncaring... but it's not true. I take things just as seriously as they do... I just have no choice but to try and increase the impact of things I see as pleasant and lessen the impact of things I see as upsetting or painful. It is a hard, unyielding part of me.

And I believe that some who I see as more cynical have that same thing in reverse. I don't think it makes anyone more or less lovable or effective... it is just who they are.

 

[lesbiaphrodite]

I love myself, love the universe, and extend that love outward.....beyond myself and beyond the universe........

 

[neonlyte]

Does human nature ever really change?

Can a pessimist become an optimist?

I'm really wondering...

All you optimists out there, how do you do it??

I have five balls - that's not the optimistic bit

I try to keep four of them in the air at any one time, but I cheat.

Three I can't drop, my wife, my family, my writing.

That leaves two. One of those I've super-glued to the ceiling - ambition.

The other one is always in my pocket. Sometimes, it's a crystal ball, other times it's one of those squeezy frustration balls. Most of the time, it's there to remind me how lucky I am to have the other four.

 

[S-Des]

The other one is always in my pocket. Sometimes, it's a crystal ball, other times it's one of those squeezy frustration balls. Most of the time, it's there to remind me how lucky I am to have the other four.

Well of course you're optimistic. I would be too if I could keep a hand in my pocket to continually stroke my ball.

 

[jomar]

Change the way you think. Both of these links offer comments and info on Martin Seligman's book.

Learned Optimism

Learned Optimism

You mught also want to check out Rational Living by Albert Ellis.

Overcoming destructive Beliefs...

http://www.truthtree.com/rat.shtml

 

[DeeZire]

When interacting with people, (women, especially) I imagine how they would react when they're cumming. This way, no matter how repulsive or ignorant they might be, they'll still have at least one redeeming quality. (Two if they smell like vanilla.)

In other words, I overcome pessimism by being a crass pervert. This method doesn't work so well when interacting with men, but if they have a wife or daughter of legal age, (or mother, sometimes) I just substitute one of them for the fantasy. Take Laura Bush, for example. I'll bet she's one hot mama, which gives her idiot husband one bonus point. However, he's so far in the hole, no amount of bonus points would ever raise him to a level that I could respect.

 

[CharleyH]

Does human nature ever really change?

Can a pessimist become an optimist?

I'm really wondering...

All you optimists out there, how do you do it??

I think one can choose to enjoy their short life in this world or not. I am not sure anyone can change anyone else. I think the individual must decide to live their life or die their life.

 

[jomar]

When interacting with people, (women, especially) I imagine how they would react when they're cumming. This way, no matter how repulsive or ignorant they might be, they'll still have at least one redeeming quality. (Two if they smell like vanilla.)

In other words, I overcome pessimism by being a crass pervert. This method doesn't work so well when interacting with men, but if they have a wife or daughter of legal age, (or mother, sometimes) I just substitute one of them for the fantasy. Take Laura Bush, for example. I'll bet she's one hot mama, which gives her idiot husband one bonus point. However, he's so far in the hole, no amount of bonus points would ever raise him to a level that I could respect.

How about Bush's momma?

 

[Brute_Force]

Live in the moment.

 

[Nirvanadragones]

And there are people who'd tell you that I can take a shit situation and make it beautiful.

That's your gift. One of many.

I know my own darkness intimately. And I do what I can to stay away from the colourless space within that darkness. I fear it, at times. But mostly, I just know it's not where I want to be. I like balance. I absolutely believe in positive energy. Yet, I also believe in being realistic. Many people who are in great denial, hide behind optimism. Being positive is not only a way of thinking; It's a lifestyle. It's part of you. It's about being healthy and whole. It's about the light. I want to walk with beauty. And beauty, for me, isn't always "pretty". Pain can be beautiful. So can darkness. I marvel at the simplistic. I stand in awe at that which is greater than I am. (Which is almost anything) I cherish and honour beauty. And I try to live my life to reflect that.

In all of this, I trust myself completely. I know when energy is good, and when it's not. I go with that. I walk with good energy, and try to give back what I take. I stay clear of bad energy, and when I am strong enough, I try to change it.

 

[DeeZire]

How about Bush's momma?

The mama I was thinking about was the Jane Seymour character in Wedding Crashers. I think I'll pass on Bush's mama.

 

[impressive]

In all of this, I trust myself completely. I know when energy is good, and when it's not. I go with that. I walk with good energy, and try to give back what I take. I stay clear of bad energy, and when I am strong enough, I try to change it.

Yes. Absolutely.

 

[Jenny_Jackson]

Don't bloody ask me. I flip flop back and forth between them. It's more a matter of daily attitude than anything else.

 

[amicus]

Does human nature ever really change?

Can a pessimist become an optimist?

I'm really wondering...

All you optimists out there, how do you do it??

~~~

You have just started and are now embroiled in a large undertaking. You expected success, optimistically, when you began it, or you would not have ventured forth.

If you reject the subjective and consider your questions in a philosophical light, the answer seems to me to be amazingly simple.

The very concept and definition of 'life' itself is optimistic; one of a will and a tenacity to survive and thus prosper.

Even human history, as dark as some chapters may be, can be easily graphed to depict an always upward trend towards improvement and perfection.

Each individual life can be viewed the same. A will and a tenacity to survive and improve knowing that peaks and valley's are the name of the game but that the trend is always towards improvement and success.

Not that anyone really wanted an 'objective' answer to the questions....smiles....

who else?

Amicus...

 

[Liar]

At any given moment, I'm an optimist about where I am. I'm the "it could be much worse so quit whining" guy.

At any given moment, I'm a pessimist about where I'm going. I'm the "it's not gonna work so quit trying" guy.

Dunno what that makes me, on average.

The trick to both however, is taking a step back and lopking at yourself as another person would. I mean, look at me. I'm well fed. I have a good place to call home. I have good firends. I have health and a head screwed on straight. If I start indulging in self pity because I don't get laid on a daily basis, or that I might never leran how to play the bagpipes or something, I'd look kinda silly. Every time I start to whine, I take that step back, and get embarrassed by what I see.

 

[voluptuary_manque]

A non-serious answer to a serious question?

I prefer being a bit pessimistic because an optimist can never be pleasently surprised and I like it when things turn out better than I expect. Funny thing is, they usually do and that's reason to be optimistic.

 

[jomar]

For me it's in no small part a matter of trust. I look at my life and see that things have worked out. When there have been negative things (illnesses, serious injuries, breakups, business challenges) that have happened I dealt with the circumstances, survived and life went on just fine - different maybe, but eventually fine. So my experiences tell me that things will work out and I will be okay. I trust that and it helps me be optimistic.

 

[Vermilion]

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. 'Nuff said.

x
V

 

[Zeb_Carter]

Drugs, lots and lots of drugs. Only the right kind of course.

 

[shereads]

I'd try to become an optimist if I thought it would do any good.