Optimism | op· ti· mism | \ ˈäp-tə-ˌmi-zəm | Noun
- : a doctrine that this world is the best possible world
- : an inclination to put the most favorable construction upon actions and events or to anticipate the best possible outcome
Optimism is a personal disposition that believes that the current trajectory they are on, or the outcome of an endeavor they are working towards will result in positive, favorable, or desirable circumstances. We have all heard the classic idiom of the pessimist and the optimist looking at a glass of water that has been filled halfway—the pessimist sees it as half empty (realities of opportunity dwindling), the optimist sees the glass as half full (realities of opportunity are abundant and maybe even growing.)
Initially, the word optimism can find its roots in Latin’s “Optimum,” meaning best. About a person’s psychological disposition, optimism reflects a belief that future conditions will work out for the best, and its, for this reason, that optimism is often seen as supporting a system of resiliency when faced with stress or adversity.
Optimism is an emotion that has been studied extensively. It is one of the few emotions I’ve come across so far that has the breadth of scientific research it has. Theories of optimism include several models such as dispositional models and models of explanatory style. Methods to measure optimism have been developed within both theoretical systems, such as various forms of the Life Orientation Test, for the original definition of optimism, or the Attributional Style Questionnaire designed to test optimism in terms of explanatory style.
03-07-19 DISTRACTION
03-08-19 This is more of a reminder. Distraction is an emotion that comes out when you least expect or desire it. For me, distraction came way via a head cold. Instead of being able to focus on the last post of the week I reluctantly became distracted.... alas, there...
03-06-19 Smile by Natalie Cole
03-06-19 Written by Charlie Chaplin and John Turn, Smile, was made famous by Nat King Cole and has been covered by countless musicians. The song evokes a classic, quintessential essence of innocence and simplicity. The lyrics themselves are quite simple. When life...
03-05-19 You Get What You Give by New Radicals
03-05-19 Most everyone has learned the concept of “treat others the way you want to be treated,” after all it is the “golden rule;” but we rarely think about how to apply this to ourselves. Most emotions have such a strong impact on our overall states of well-being,...
03-04-19 Mr. Blue Sky by Electric Light Orchestra
03-04-19 Full disclosure, I can’t hear this song now, without thinking of Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy, and a little CGI tree (Groot) dancing gleefully while narrowly avoiding death thanks to his compatriots. I suppose that’s where part of the inspiration for...
03-03-19 Generator ^ First Floor by Freelance Whales
03-04-19 This song has stood as a waypoint in my memory. It represents the unyielding prospect of youth and potential. In 2010 when I first started listening to Freelance Whales thanks to the late Sasquatch! Music Festival, I was immediately drawn into their melodic...
03-02-19 Tightrope by Janelle Monae
03-02-19 Life pushes us to extremes. These extremes make us often feel that if we are to stumble and fall the reality of getting back up, may be too much to endure. So, we do our best to walk our own proverbial tightropes. The momentum that one gets when they are on...
03-01-19 Dawn by Cloud Cult
03-01-19 Cloud Cult and its album Light Chasers has come up a few times through this project. I’ve been extremely fortunate to be able to revisit this album in such depth over the last few months. From the moment I first listened to it, I was wholly captivated. I...
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