cultivate Optimism

I have set my habit…I will always work on this…the habit is my accomplishment!

I’ve noticed that with my students if I believe that they can succeed, I feel like I’m fighting half the battle with them. They often come from homes where they never see their parents (or have NEVER seen one or more of their parents) and rarely if ever have someone say “I BELIEVE IN YOU!” Optimisim starts by automatically EXPECTING that my students should be optimistic with themselves. This is hard when telling them whether or not they should go on to honors next year or stay/ go down to regular English (since we are registering for next year right now) but reminding them the future is out there and IT STARTS NOW I hope helps them imagine themselves in any role they want and that they should stop dreaming and start doing NOW. I love my kids…they are MY kids for 90 minutes a day…and I want them to chase the same dreams and possibilities that I did. Sometimes this gets clouded with crankiness and bad attitudes and problem students etc. etc. etc. but I need to remind myself to be persistant, to believe in them, and to believe in myself.

My newest challenge is to make my students optimistic about their futures, but more specifically, optimism about their writing. They hate it, they despise it, they might even despise me for it. But they MUST write—essays, letters, notes, summaries, whatever it is, the function of writing is necessary. So how do I make them optimistic about their education? Especially, how do I make them optimistic about writing? I’m trying patience, guidence, and examples. I hope it works!

...on my destructive and habitual pessimism.

If i don’t take myself in hand i could end up losing someone i really don’t want to lose.

Need to counteract every negative thought with a positive one, in this situation as i did with my anxiety issues earlier this year. I CAN do it. And the rewards are huge.

Just got to get a grip.

Thank you to the person who dealt the wake-up call. Sincerely.

I have a friend going through the Bar exam. I feel for him in his stress-load, and am trying to ease the struggle by finding the positive side to his situation. However, I think he doesn’t enjoy my optimistic intentions as he has of late become more sarcastic in his responses. Hmmm…oh well, it’s worth it!=0)

have helped me sort out so many things today. It is an excellent tool to help get all of the self talk out before the day begins.

Today’s writing was pretty negative but it is out of my system in the bright open air. As the negative thoughts poured out onto the paper positive solutions took their place.

with the hum of the laundry in the background is a perfect Monday morning. Sitting at my computer writing while drinking a hot steamy cup of coffee with a stick of cinnamon for sweetness.

Life is good. The day is full of opportunities to be optimistic.

The strangest thing is happening!

When I am around negative people I am starting to get physically ill.

The sound of their voice causes my stomach to turn, my head to ache like an attack of the flu. I get nauseated. I know this is pyschosymatic and yet it’s happening more and more.

When they stop talking or are not in the room with me I feel fine. When they walk in I tense up.

This is not just people I know but even people I meet. It’s like an allergic reaction.

Has this happened to anyone else?

Optimistic people are healthier and usually live much longer than people who are depressed and sad.

More than thirty years of research and over 500 scientific studies have shown that what you say to yourself when you experience stress and adversity-your explanatory style - influences your performance, your mood, and even your health.

This short check-up from world renowned psychologist Martin E.P. Seligman will give you a sense of whether your style is optimistic or pessimistic—and how your style effects your ability to function at your best.

My authentic self is Optimistic. I scored a 6 but was surprised at the parts where I was more pessimistic.

To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.
To talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person you meet.
To make all your friends feel that there is something in them.
To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true.
To think only of the best, to work only for the best and to expect only the best.
To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.
To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.
To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile.
To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others.
To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.