Optimism Is More Than Positive Thinking

I have at times been labelled an eternal optimist. I’ve thought of myself that way at times. In truth, the underlying thing that keeps me optimistic is my continued sense of purpose. The only time in my life that I had a boring job was before I turned 20. I can remember looking at the time every 5 minutes or less and vowing never to do that to myself again. I never did.

Viktor Frankl wrote about having meaning in your life can be the difference between living and dying. He spoke of how he had that sense of meaning and purpose even on his darkest days in Auschwitz. Later, he told of men and women who had survived the death camp, only to perish shortly after because they had lost what they felt gave their lives meaning and purpose.

I’ve known people – friends – who insist on being happy most of the time. I’m not sure I’d call them optimistic. It isn’t what I mean by that term at any rate.

Being optimistic, to me, is holding a sense of hope for the future, even if the present seems hopeless or less hopeful. I know I will experience days of feeling no hope – losing people I care deeply for, losing opportunities as I grow older, losing my health, eventually.  This is the human challenge we will all experience if we live long enough.

I won’t know what that feels like until it happens, and am hopeful I’ll find meaning in life even so. I have begun to lose function, and surprisingly, I’m accepting it with grace. Perhaps grace, too, is part of being optimistic.

Quote of the Week

Optimism is a daily spiritual practice. And when we do it, we can transform this world.
― Shawn Achor

The future will be shaped by optimists

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Maryanne Nicholls is a Registered Psychotherapist.  To find out more, gain access to her weekly newsletter, meditations and programs, sign up at www.thejoyofliving.co . 

If you’re interested in the topic of avoiding burnout for people who do too much, you may be interested in checking out my youtube channel.