Accentuate The Positive...Then Reinforce It

I recently wrote a post called the cynical optimist, where I noted the sometimes paradoxical challenges we all face when confronted by daily life circumstances. That choice being to accept said task or chore or adversity in an open, positive, optimistic way. Or look down at it like it is something that your foot just stepped in, another one of life’s ongoing jokes and misadventures that seem aimed directly at you. Here’s the video, for those of you who may have missed it (or ignored it) the first time:



I still believe that we can choose to be happy, and in effect, positive, if we will our minds to do so. Now, I’m not saying that if you get run over by a bus and are lying in a pool of blood on the interstate and some negative thoughts may seep (along with that blood) into your mind that you should ignore your injuries and smile, whistle, and watch the birdies tweeting around your concussive skull. But I am saying that, yes, even while you are being strapped to a gurney and being shoved into the back end of an ambulance, yes, even then, you still have the option to choose optimism over cynicism.

Wow, some happy joker this guy is, huh?

Yes, for the most part. Why? Because it’s just as easy to chose to be positive than it is to embrace negativity...and it's far more healthier.

One of the keys to success and happiness is not only cultivating a positive attitude and persona, but reinforcing that attitude every day. Most of us enjoy positive feedback, whenever we receive it. But those platitudes and kudos are not always available. What to do…?

Give yourself positive reinforcement. Give yourself a pat on the back for the job well done if your manager or supervisor or boss does not. Only, of course, if you deserve one.

If you do something wrong, make a mistake, fail, it’s not the end of the world. Rather, it is an opportunity to learn, grow, achieve. Then reinforce whatever positive success factors you gained from the experience.

Here is a video from my archives where I discuss, you guessed it:



Remember, we can choose, for the most part, to be positive throughout our daily existence, no matter how difficult that can be at times. But more importantly, we also need to reinforce this positivity with encouraging reminders, daily affirmations, and well-earned acclamation.

If we are constantly reminded that we have had past successes during certain endeavors, then we take from those positive memories the encouragement and experience necessary for continued success.

Think about it.

Until next time…

peace,

Mike

The Cynical Optimist

Is your glass half-full?



Or is the grass always greener on the other side of the street? Do you feel that no matter what happens, as long as you try your hardest, do your best, be kind to others and think nice thoughts things will work out? Or do you feel that it doesn’t matter what you do, bad things, eventually, will happen to good people. Maybe you think that all politicians are crooks; bankers and lawyers too? And the government—they don’t really care about us, they are just hanging around taking kickbacks and creating scandals, right? Perhaps that’s being too…what? Cynical? Or am I being too optimistic? Jeez, I can’t win!

Maybe that’s it—we just can’t win!

That’s crazy, of course you can, you just have to keep on keeping on and put your nose to the grindstone. It will all work out in the end—time heals all wounds, right?

The heck with time: what about all the world’s problems—hunger, war, terrorism, racism, unaffordable health care, unemployment, corruption, apathy!

Okay, but what about the miracle of watching your child come into the world, the awesome naked beauty of a sunset, the natural sensation you get from laughing so hard that tears streak your cheeks?

Tears are right! I feel like crying whenever I think about not having a job, the cost of gasoline, the jokers in Washington (and Europe), and my child support payments!

Tears of joy for having the ability to earn a living, being able to afford to own a car that you can drive across this amazing country; the freedom to choose your leaders, vote for change, and the blessing given to you to have the opportunity to raise a child.

Man, talk about a cockeyed optimist!

Boy, what a negative cynic!

Who am I describing? Anyone you know? Or do the above diatribes hit closer to home?

Are you one of those people who believes that everyday brings with it the opportunity to do something incredible?

Or one that dreads waking up to another miserable twenty-fours of getting stepped on, tossed aside, paranoid that someone is going to do something bad to you?

Me? I like to think that good things will happen to me—and you too!—if I put a positive spin on everything in my life. In fact, I strongly believe that a good mental attitude, filled with positive energy and happy thoughts, goes a long way toward a healthy, happy, fulfilling life.

Yeah, but what about—

I know, I know, there is a lot of bad in the world, lots of heartache and pain; suffering. And there are often terrible and unavoidable pitfalls and horrors that befall each and every one of us, sometimes daily or weekly, but certainly several times throughout our lives.

Guess what? It’s called LIFE. And LIFE happens, with us out without us.

“Life is the definition of imperfection.”
- Mike Foster



You can’t have a gorgeous sunset without clouds, can’t put a roof over your head without cutting down some trees, and cannot live life without a few (or several) tough breaks occurring along the way.

The key to a successful, happy, healthy life is staring at you in the mirror every morning when you brush those choppers—you. I’m not saying turn your back on your problems, or ignore the atrocities that afflict millions of innocent human beings by just smiling at the new day and hoping for the best.

What I’m saying is we all have a choice, to either find that happiness, that hope that resides in all of us. Or embrace the darkness, the negativity, that cynicism that lives within us too.

And even if you are faced with seemingly insurmountable odds, have to deal with daily drudgery and setbacks; even if your life, or a loved one’s life, seems destined to turn into nothing but bad luck and heartache, you, too, have a choice.

Deal, cope, survive.

Smile, love, live.

Am I as hopeful and cheerful and optimistic as I can be all the time? No. Do I sometimes fall victim of feeling victimized, or think that the world, and my little slice of it, seems hopeless and a waste of time? Sometimes, but, thankfully, not very often.

The key, again, is right inside your head, your heart and soul. And embracing the wonderful paradox derived from living each moment, striving for the best possible existence, every day in every way.




Until next time…


peace,


Mike