optimism
What an
attitude Do you love being around positive people, those who have a great attitude? KATHRYN JOHNSTON tells how we can become positive, motivated and inspired and see the glass ‘half full’.
Y
es, we all have it – attitude! No, it is not a new virus but it could be catching and there are two strains: an optimistic attitude and a pessimistic attitude. An attitude is something we cultivate in our lives and the lives of others. Attitude is the way we construct our thinking, emotions and actions about life experiences, essentially it is how we view life itself. Our world view can be hard-wired in us through education and socialisation and influenced by teachers, parents, relatives and friends – the world around us. Do you have an optimistic or pessimistic outlook on life and life’s circumstances? Is attitude a learned behaviour and if so, is it possible to change? Perhaps at times it may be necessary to change because a pessimistic attitude will make a
difference to how you cope and manage life. Also it will have an effect on your enjoyment of life and the joy you give to others. If you had a choice would you spend your time with people who are negative or with those who are positive and encouraging – despite life’s circumstances? My preference is to spend as much time with those who see the glass ‘half full’ rather than ‘half empty’. Those who have a positive outlook are inspirational, they lift our spirits, they give us energy and when needed they restore our enthusiasm for life. I have found people with an optimistic attitude are the givers, those with pessimistic are the takers. Sadly pessimists rob themselves of the best life has to give, extracting the joy from their life and others along
the way. It is like taking marrow from the bones. Healthy bone marrow will release mature blood cells into the blood stream when they are required for a healthy functioning body. When a person has an optimistic attitude, it is like marrow to their bones. It produces a healthy, positive and cheerful person and they become a source of encouragement for others. In my view this is a well-adjusted person – someone I like to be around, someone who builds up the body of Christ. A positive attitude gives you latitude. An optimistic and encouraging attitude is beneficial for yourself and others; it can rejuvenate a marriage, a family, a group of Christians, a church community and it can provide healing to dry or pessimistic bones. An optimistic attitude provides the Later Life July 2011/12 • 21