117: Be Optimistic
[b]لا تقنطوا من رحمة الله[/b]
[i]Do not ever despair of the mercy of Allah. [/i][b][Qur’an][/b]
[b]Perspectives[/b]
All of us are familiar with the term optimism and aware of the positive expressions used to convey this attitude …[list][*]every cloud has a silver lining [/*][*]a glass is seen as half full (rather than half empty)[/*][/list] Such metaphors emphasize the constructive tendency of the optimist.
Other metaphors and expressions contrast optimism with pessimism, and though some may appear as humorous, they are nonetheless worthy of reflection …[list][*]the optimist sees the doughnut, the pessimist sees the hole [/*][*]the optimist sees the glass half full, the pessimist sees the glass half empty.[/*][/list]
But the glass is half empty
Whether people see the glass half full or half empty, both are seeing the same thing, and both are correct; the difference is in their perspective and their attitude.
The question is, what are they paying attention to /what are they focusing on
and why? The one who sees the glass as half full is not denying the reality that the glass is half empty. However, by paying attention to the positive rather than the negative, the person accentuates and puts a mental emphasis on the encouraging dimension of the situation. This approach engenders hope rather than discouragement and hopelessness.
Optimism is inspirational
At the Battle of the Trench, the Muslims of Madinah were surrounded by enemy forces who wanted to wipe out the Muslims. Many felt helpless, yet the Prophet motivated them and as he struck a rock with an axe while digging the trench, a spark went off and the Prophet said; “
I see the treasures of Persia and Rome at your disposal.” He was saying this to a group of people who were not sure whether they would live to see the next day, yet he inspired them with hope.
[b]Expectation of Success[/b]
An optimistic attitude enables a person to approach situations with an expectation of success, because a hopeful person envisions possibilities. [i]“Optimism means having a strong expectation that, in general, things will turn out all right in life, despite setbacks and frustrations…optimism is an attitude that buffers people against falling into apathy, hopelessness or depression in the face of tough going[/i]"[b][Dr. Daniel Goleman – Emotional Intelligence-][/b]
Optimism, in its simplest terms, is …[list][*]having the ability to focus on the positive, rather than the negative in any circumstance [/*][*]the capacity to be hopeful and positive not only during good times, but during times of trials and tribulations as well. [/*][*]the skill that allows you to take the lemons that life throws at you and make lemonade.[/*][/list]
Internal Dialog
Whatever happens, we act/react in accordance with how we perceive the reality we are encountering; and that perception is informed by what we say to ourselves about the situation (how we interpret it). There are three primary elements of internal dialog that impacts on our optimism …
[list][*]
Perspective ~ How you interpret what is happening.
The optimist, looking at the rose tree, sees the rose and not its thorns; the pessimist stares at the thorns, oblivious of the rose. [Lebanese Maronite poet,
Khalil Gibran] [/*]
[*]
Personalization ~ How does the event affect you? Do you think you are responsible for the situation? What can you do to change/improve the situation? How much control do you have over the existing state of affairs?
Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds you plant. [Author, Robert Louis Stevenson].
Pessimism often gives a small thing a big shadow [Swedish proverb][/*][*]
Pervasiveness ~ The pervasiveness looks at whether we believe an event is specific or universal. Do you think the results of this one event apply to everything in your life, or just that episode?
Don’t bog yourself down with where you are, work towards where you could be.[
African saying][/*][/list]
There is a native American advice… “
There are two beasts fighting within you; one is positive that exhibits care, hope, love …. and the other one is negative that exhibits selfishness, hate, hopelessness …. If you want to know which one will win, then look at which one you feed the most.”
Our internal dialog greatly affects the choice of our reaction. It is important to realize that the more aware we are of our real circumstances, the more conscious we are of our choices, and the more we reflect upon our options, the greater the potential for deciding wisely, and the greater the probability that we will not regret our actions/reactions.
If we are cognizant of the fact that our attitudes indicate our approach to daily living, we will realize how damaging negative attitudes and pessimism are to our sense of well-being; they dictate our whole life.
Optimism is the one quality more associated with success and happiness than any other. [Authority on personal development,
Brian Tracy] The advice of the Prophet (pbuh) now acquires greater significance…
pessimism is part of bad character.