The Nurturing Well by: Jill Starbuck
One of my best friends is nearly 30 years older than I am. When we get together, we laugh, talk about life, and just have a grand time. When I was in my early 20s, I remember thinking that my friend was one of the most beautiful and sophisticated women I had ever known. Although my friend is very beautiful in appearance, her physical traits weren’t what made her radiate to me. It was her attitude. I met her at a time in my life when I was going through college, surviving on pennies, working a full-time job, and trying to live independently. I had a lot of unknowns in my life and couldn’t help but worry all the time. But every time I met up with my friend, I would notice how she was always so happy and relaxed. I wanted to be that way too.
I remember asking my friend one time how she stays so happy. She replied that she always tries to be an optimist, to look at things in a positive light. Even though life offers its fair share of disappointments, there is no point in wasting time over things that we can’t control. We should relish the amazing moments that life gives us. Nothing stays bad or disappointing forever, so why dwell on it? She told me that this line of thinking usually comes with age. Although she is older and faces health challenges and other aspects of aging, she still remains an exuberant presence.
The following are some of the benefits optimists enjoy:
1. Tolerate imperfections. Optimists don’t let small things bother them. They believe it’s not worth the effort. Therefore, they are less likely to fly off the handle over pettiness.
2. Enjoy life more fully. Optimists stop to smell the flowers. They see the world in its beauty rather than its imperfections.
3. Have more friends. Happy people rub off on other people. Let’s face it, happy people are more fun to be around. Would you rather sit around with a grumpy complainer or would you prefer to hang out with a cheerful optimist?
4. Overcome challenges. Optimists never give up on challenges, whereas pessimists often give up early, assuming there is no point in trying.
5. Lead healthier lives. Pessimists often stress about even the most minor things. In turn, stress leads to a lot of health issues including gastrointestinal problems, headaches, heart disease, and many more.
If you are naturally a pessimist, don’t fear. By becoming more conscious of your negative thoughts, you can make an effort to change them to more optimistic thoughts. It may take some work, but after some time, you can find yourself a happier and healthier person because of it.
Jill Starbuck has 20 years of experience as a business writer, editor, and market research analyst. She is a certified health coach through the Integrative Institute of Nutrition and a certified running coach through the Road Runners Club of America. She is also the co-owner of a running business. She can be reached at jillstarbuck@hotmail.com.
