Do you choose to look through the window of optimism or the crevice of pessimism?
Optimism seems like it would be an instinctual trait that everybody possesses. However, it may be more complicated than that assumption. As we grow it may waver to varying levels. That is what I have experienced thus far in my life personally.
Often I have confused optimism with positivity. What I have come to understand is that optimism is more thought to the future and positivity is thought in the present.
I have also gained knowledge that optimism can be learned.
The continued confidence that the outcome of something will succeed. That is my paraphrased definition of optimism.
My new definition of optimism is; the continued confidence that the outcome of something will transform into a result of appreciation which presents a choice that can be molded into something greater.
In order to raise our levels of optimism we need to first change our beliefs associated with how we perceive it.
Divert our thoughts to the good things that will come out of the situation or experience instead of placing our focus on the negative.
Repetition of this thought pattern will begin to create greater optimism. Increasing the comprehension that the outcome will be resolved into something that will be of intrinsic benefit.
As our thoughts of how we perceive optimism begin to change our outlook in everyday life, there are also external factors to consider which influence our repetition of thought.
The company or people which we surround ourselves with contribute to the complexity of our continued optimistic outlook.
Being around others for extended periods of time which have low levels of optimism begin to slowly erode our energy we maintain for higher confidence in a greater outcome.
Reducing our time around these people is sometimes not possible. In my current work-life situation I feel that constant negativity and low levels of optimism by others is encountered daily.
How do I maintain my optimism in these circumstances?
First I acknowledge that I can only change my behavior and it is up to other individuals to change their behavior and beliefs. I analyze and remain open to thoughts that may have relevance, even though they may be hidden in the limited optimistic outlook.
My integrity keeps me grounded and then tap into my strengths to navigate through the situation.
By detaching myself from the outcome of an experience I can then focus on the learning that is extracted from it and continue to use my strengths to navigate in the experience. Placing my confidence that these things will bring me to a result I can mold into what I envision.
This is my blueprint which is easier writing than it functions in reality. However, by using this blueprint of optimistic belief that I hold, I am beginning to create greater experiences than I thought I could in the past.
It is much easier to maintain optimism in your life when you are surrounded by many positive influences. Influences such as living within your values, having more presence and gratitude, having knowledge about yourself, surrounding yourself with more people who emit positive outlooks.
In my life I have also experienced that optimism is built through personal circumstances and then given the opportunity to accept as a choice. Living through a difficult situation big or small, develops our perseverance. We arrive at the decision to accept our continued confrontation of the challenge as a thought choice that it will either get better or worse (stay the same).
We then have the ability to take action and create opportunities to make it better. This is when optimism is born.
When we fully commit to the birth of optimism in our life and in our thoughts it is not just accepting that a positive outcome will occur. We can expect that the final result will be something we are grateful for. Favorable or unfavorable. A result born from the optimism we placed in the journey that we helped create to that point in time. It all relates to what we decide to take from the outcome and then move forward to the next one.
The lens for which we view things becomes a lucid view through the window of optimism.
” To clearly see through the window of optimism, we must first choose to stand infront of it and look through it.” – Kristin Larsen
A few notable quotes that boost my optimism……
“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.”
― Anne Frank
“Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.”
― Dr.Seuss
“A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.”
― Winston S. Churchill
“You’ll never find a rainbow if you’re looking down”
― Charlie Chaplin
“Instead of worrying about what you cannot control, shift your energy to what you can create.”
― Roy. T. Bennett