It's Time for Optimism

In this world  there is so much craziness going on, it can be hard to be optimistic. If you know me, I am always looking for the bright side. It is better to look for the good in everything. I truly believe things work out. There is no reason to worry and have doom and gloom thoughts. Being pessimistic only brings you down. So why are people pessimistic? It's probably because they believe if they set their expectations low, when something good happens then they are surprised.

By being pessimistic, you prevent yourself from enjoying things in life. Remember the more negative you are, the more negative things happen. If you have a hard time staying positive, try these steps.

• Stop forcing yourself to be happy. Just go with the flow and have no expectations. You never know who you are going to meet and what opportunities might come up.
• Reinterpret problems. Just because you lost a game or failed a test doesn't make you suck at that sport or subject. Maybe you had a bad day. So look at the other side of things and not make them personal.
• Set small goals. Maybe you could work on one technique that may help you play better or study one subject so that you can do better next time on the test. Don't put the pressure of having to get an A in your mind. Just tell yourself to do your best and that is enough.
• Keep trying and don't give up. Optimists always say, I will try one more time no matter what. If you can set a goal of 3 more tries then you may get it in the first one. 
• See both sides of things. You can see you might be getting a cold. Don't say I'm sick and I feel like crap because you will. Instead acknowledge you have a stuffy nose and say I will be better tomorrow. You can heal your body with positive thoughts. You just have to believe it.
• Make a list of the good things that have happened within the last 6 months. This helps you to be more optimistic about the future.
• Be grateful. Write down 5 things a day in which you are grateful. You could be grateful for walking, for food in your stomach, for shelter, for your sight...for anything. This helps you stay in that positive zone.

If you practice gratitude and looking for the good in things, your mindset will change. I have been teaching my kids to do this. If they start doing this at a young age, then it will be easy for them as adults. There is always something to be grateful for. Be thankful, believe, and you shall receive!

Take care,

Keri