In
in recent years we have probably all been told that we must "think positive". An army of
experts recommend it. And, of course, you will think that so many specialists and
people of all kinds cannot be wrong all together. Indeed, the doctors
and psychologists have made several studies showing that optimism
improves our health, makes us live longer and improves ours
quality of life. For this reason we have come to the point that we all feel
pressured to think and speak positively. And all of that is fine!
Il
problem lies in the fact that the vast majority of people report to
wanting to be even more optimistic. In short, they wouldn't be as happy as
wish. Optimism has turned into the desired goal but we do not give it back
I realize when we have reached it and we always want more. All time
more often, researchers regard optimism and pessimism as two glasses
different that we can put on and take off at will to face one
situation, instead of understanding them as different styles and attitudes for
to face life. In fact, there are already several psychologists who are challenging
the hegemony of optimism at all costs as an ideal state of mind. In short, it should
make selective use of optimism instead of wearing it like a dress
carry for life. The
problem arose because for decades people were urged to be
optimistic. Are you optimistic? Good! Are you pessimistic? Nooo! For millions of people there
the doctrine of optimism has achieved to create an enemy: pessimism, an idea
which is identified with failure, depression and the loss of goals
in life. But that shouldn't be the case, given that as much optimism as the
pessimism have their own intrinsic values. For
example, both optimism and pessimism can energetically motivate the
our behavior. If we consider from a realistic point of view, the
level of risk we face every time we decide to make a
new project or we realize the amount of work it requires, perhaps
we would never be ready to embark on an adventure. Then you need a little bit of
optimism. However, there is nothing as effective as a failure for
spur us to react, change perspective and resume the journey for a
different path. This is pessimism. Indeed,
many specialists see pessimism as a protective mechanism
of the ego which obviously does not wish to fail. In this case we refer to the
defensive pessimism, which outlines all negative things in gray colors
that could happen to us. In these cases, pessimism can help us to search
alternative paths, to be more careful and to sharpen our wits
looking for new solutions to avoid problems. Do not
Nor should we forget that the boom in optimism came to an end
90s of the last century, when the psychologist Martin Seligman chose as a theme
of his lecture as president of the American Association of Own Psychology
the theme of "Positive Psychology". In that moment of strong expansion
economic and prosperity, Western culture was particularly receptive to
these messages, but today, with the current economic crisis that no longer appears
end and the real problems that tens of millions of people owe
face every day, it is best to face every situation with attitude
adequate.
A
again, it is important to learn to deal with opposites with an attitude
flexible. Optimism is not a goal, we don't have to spend the whole day
with a smile on his face. The important thing is to know how to apply the advice
of Positive Psychology in the right place and time.
