![]() ![]() Explanatory styles reflect three attributions that a person forms about a recent event. I tend to do well in other subjects.” These students are exhibiting two types of what psychologists call “explanatory styles”. I can’t do anything right!” The second student thinks, “This test was difficult! Oh well, it’s just one test in one class. The first student thinks, “I’m such a failure! I always do poorly in this subject. Imagine two students who receive the same poor grade on an exam. Optimistic Explanatory Style: Making Sense of Bad Events This section will review what is known about the benefits of optimism and evidence suggesting optimism is a learnable skill. For simplicity’s sake, the studies discussed herein will talk about people at the higher end of the spectrum as optimists and people on the lower end as pessimists. People can also change their levels of optimism depending on the situations they are in. Of course, optimism, like other psychological states and characteristics, exists on a continuum. Specifically, optimistic people believe that negative events are temporary, limited in scope (instead of pervading every aspect of a person’s life), and manageable. Martin Seligman defines optimism as reacting to problems with a sense of confidence and high personal ability. Optimism is a trait that should become more common, judging by Winston Churchill’s famous quote that “a pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.” Recent research indicates that optimists and pessimists approach problems differently, and their ability to cope successfully with adversity differs as a result. Gratitude is associated with optimism and has been determined that grateful people are happier, receive more social support, are less stressed, and are less depressed. Optimism has been proven to improve the immune system, prevent chronic disease, and help people cope with unfortunate news. The Bottom Line: Mindfulness & Positive thinking are herein derived from two main attributes optimism and gratitude. Make a Difference: Change the World, Change Yourself.Symptoms of Anxiety & Anxiety Prevention with Science of Happiness.Top 10+ Coping Skills for Depression You Must Know.Why You may Feel Depressed for No Reason & How to Be Happier.Symptoms of Depression & Depression Prevention with Science of Happiness.High School Happiness and Wellbeing Curriculum.Annotated Bibliography – Mindfulness & Positive Thinking.Review of Key Studies on Mindfulness & Positive Thinking.The Philosophy & Science of Mindfulness.Psychobiotics and the Pursuit of Happiness.There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature-the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after winter. "Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts. "You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them." Rachel Carson, Silent Spring “Tomorrow is always fresh, with no mistakes in it yet.” Maya Angelou, Letter to My Daughter ![]() To never simplify what is complicated or complicate what is simple. ![]() ![]() To never get used to the unspeakable violence and the vulgar disparity of life around you. But the real universe is always one step beyond logic." Arundhati Roy, The Cost of Living "Deep in the human unconscious is a pervasive need for a logical universe that makes sense. "Hold fast to dreams, For if dreams die Life is a broken-winged bird, That cannot fly." Frank Herbert, Dune Langston Hughes, The Collected Poems of Langston Hughes "You are your best thing." Emily Dickinson, The Poems of Emily Dickinson There are certain things we feel to be beautiful and good, and we must hunger after them." Toni Morrison, Beloved "We can never give up longing and wishing while we are thoroughly alive. "There are darknesses in life and there are lights, and you are one of the lights, the light of all lights." George Eliot, The Mill on the Floss To stop dreaming – well, that's like saying you can never change your fate. Here are some of the greatest meditations on optimism in literature. And, at times of upheaval and confusion, words from authors can spark that most valuable thing of all: hope. They allow us to reflect on the world around us, and escape from it. Books bring us entertainment, inspiration and ideas. ![]()
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