3 minute read
OPTIMISM: RADICAL AUDACITY
by Ben Goldberg
“Optimism is the rebellious audacity to refuse the status quo and strive for a better future." —Matt Davies, cartoonist
The research is abundantly clear: optimism is good for us and for those around us—partners, spouses, kids, and coworkers. There are many demonstrated benefits, but this one, offered by the Dalai Lama XIV, unapologetically tops my list: “Choose to be optimistic, it feels better.”
Just getting out of bed each morning is a leap of faith.
The world can be a cruel and heartless place, but most of us get out of bed each morning and venture out. Frosts, droughts, floods, diseases, and bugs all come, but we plant our gardens anyway and rejoice each spring when living plants break through the barely warm topsoil. In short, and for better rather than worse, most of us can embrace the positives, the potential, and the possibilities in life.
And that seems to be the essence of optimism: choosing to see the potential and possibilities, choosing to stay engaged and not give up-despite life’s many challenges. Those choices feed our ability
“Optimism is a strategy for making a better future. Because unless you believe that the future can be better, you are unlikely to step up and take responsibility for making it so.”" -Noam Chomsky, linguist, philosopher, political activist
"People who wonder whether the glass is half empty or half full miss the point. The glass is refillable." -Unknown
to see opportunity, creativity, persistence, and resilience. We don’t give up easily.
Rational, realistic, rebelliously audacious optimism works!
Here are some of the demonstrated benefits of optimism:
Better physical and psycho-emotional health, including possible protective factos against heart problems, cancer, and dementia; higher selfesteem, satisfaction, and well-being
Better relationships at home and work
Empowerment (optimism is empowering; pessimism is disempowering)
Actual changes in some of the ways we think and how our brains work
Motivation to lead a healthy lifestyle
Longevity and faster recovery from even serious and/or chronic illness
Stress and mood management and enhanced resilience and proactivity
Better sleep
Improved likelihood that we can reach personal and professional goals
“Some people see the glass half full. Others see it half empty. I see a glass that's twice as big as it needs to be.” -George Carlin, comedian
Optimism is a beneficial tool and a psychosocial/ public health resource for people of all ages. Optimism can be learned and intentionally practiced.
Some ways to gradually become more optimistic:
Actively look for possibilities for growth.
Practice being grateful, hopeful, and compassionate.
Take a few minutes each day to record positive things you have experienced or learned about.
Meditate or practice yoga on a regular basis, or walk the spiritual path of your choice (e.g., major league baseball; dancing; prayer; quilting; fishing; cooking…Get it?)
Seek counseling or cognitive-behavioral therapy if you feel stuck in negativity. “Optimists are right. So are pessimists. It’s up to you to choose which you will be.” -Harvey Mackay, businessman, author expecting the worst). psychological distance use your own first name and second person pronoun (“you” instead of “I”). associates. achievable goals.
“You can’t stop the waves but you can learn how to surf.” -Jon Kabat-Zinn, mindfulness scientist/teacher
This may be a particularly challenging time to learn to be more optimistic, or it may be a particularly
Ben Goldberg is an Albany resident, dog walker, and gardener—not necessarily in that order.
invest in your community. earn interest.
Give up catastrophizing (assuming the worst or Practice positive self-talk. To prov ide Be kind to yourself. Associate with positive people. Try to avoid toxic
Give up perfectionism, and instead set realistic, opportune time. You can choose which.
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