The Power of Optimism
Psychological Articles by Boomeryearbook.com
Baby boomers are a generation of optimists. Baby boomers have achieved more during their active term as scientists, doctors, engineers, and architects than any other generation throughout history. Why then do so many of us persist in taking a dim view of the events that surround us?
Optimistic personalities perceive negatives as part of a whole and they are able to pluck the positive aspects from even disastrous moments. Such abilities might sometimes be described as ‘wearing rose colored glasses’ but in fact those who can optimistically see the bright side have a healthier attitude and stand a better chance of avoiding many of the diseases brought on by a low emotional state. Psychological articles from the school of Positive Psychology bear this out: many of the ailments suffered by elderly baby boomers are the result of loss such as bereavement or the long term illness of a partner.
The ability to look forward to good things is one that, unfortunately, is not shared by many. Human beings are not particularly optimistic but the saving grace is that those who are more optimistic than others invariably share a talent for being able to cajole the rest of us into joining them in their enthusiasm for life!
Interestingly, some people’s optimism peaks and troughs throughout the year, prompted by celebratory events such as Christmas and birthdays. Optimism after a birthday might be high, probably following the euphoria of receiving gifts and cards from friends and family. It will be high again immediately prior to the Christmas season but will likely fall again when the holiday season ends and visitors return home.
It is fairly obvious that baby boomers in particular are sociable enough to find deep pleasure in the company of others and find optimism easier when they are surrounded by friends and loved ones. This is a good thing but psychological articles observe that as we get older and friends begin to leave us, it is necessary to find an introspective ability to hope for the best.
Hope and optimism are vital to being able to ‘savor’ life and being receptive to other positive emotions such as love and awe. The alternatives to hope and optimism are unpleasant emotions such as despair and pessimism; both of which lead us to depression and eventual illness.
Being hopeful and optimistic need not mean we gallop around spreading good will everywhere and boring everyone with our determination to see the good in everyone and everything! Optimists are merely people who see the brighter side of most situations rather than waiting for the worst to happen. We all know people who are determined they will catch the latest flu germ and shut themselves away from friends who might be carrying the bug! They are often victims of the disease anyway so they might as well have had the pleasure of being sociable first! Taking a dim view of the future leads to a lowering of the spirit and the inability to savor life.
The Psychological Article on Optimism and Making a Good Job of Hoping is part of Boomer Yearbook’s continuing series of baby boomers psychological coaching tips and how to alleviate elderly problems. We believe knowledge is power. We’d love to hear what you think.
Boomer Yearbook is a Social Network and Psychological Articles for Baby Boomers. Connect with old and new friends, or expand your mind and ward off senior moments and elderly problems with dream analysis and online optical illusions and brain games provided by clinical psychologist Dr. Karen Turner. Join other Baby Boomers to stay informed, receive weekly Newsfeeds, and let your opinions be heard. Baby boomers changed the world. We’re not done yet!
Baby Boomers Guide: Positive and Negative Emotions
Tags: baby boomers, Elderly Problems, positive psychology, Psychological Articles