Today, all around us, there is so much that could trigger a pessimistic attitude towards life. We all know what our triggers are. How can I see the rainbow when it’s raining so hard? How can I see the glass half full when even the glass is dirty? Silver lining? What silver lining? What I want to focus on is cultivating optimism in the face of today’s struggles.
Cultivating optimism begins with attitude. How we look at a situation, event, or interaction demonstrates which side of the attitudinal scale we come from – the upside or the downside. Our thoughts and feelings will follow based on our location on the scale.
It is key to know that we are in charge of the attitude. We may not be in control of the situation or event, but we are definitely in charge of how we look at it. So, it is a choice. No matter what the circumstance, we must stay in charge of how we see it to cultivate optimism. Once we claim our ownership of attitude, we can begin to look at each life event from anywhere on the scale we choose.
Cultivating optimism involves looking for the lesson in a tough situation. What purpose does it serve for us? Sometimes the answer is a resounding “I don’t know”. That’s ok. The purpose is understood when it presents itself, and no sooner. Trusting that the lesson will be revealed, learned, and applied allows us to view anything from a more positive, life-enriching standpoint.
So, take a look at the glass: half-full or half-empty? You decide.
Half full or half empty?
Women & Relationships Blog 