If we think more optimistically, we tend to feel better, which in turn makes us think more optimistically. We are what we repeatedly do. A positive internal dialogue is vital. Particularly amid the stress of the holiday season. Insulate yourself, to the extent possible, against the negative self-talk. Optimism serves as a shield, enabling us to see the world in a light more conducive to our own mental and physical well-being. As psychologist Daniel Gilbert attests, it all comes back to expectations. When we expect to do well, we forge forward. When we set our sights lower, the negative self-view becomes self-fulfilling. As the gloomy grey donkey Eeyore tells Pooh, “We can’t all, and some of us don’t. That’s all there is to it.” Eeyore doesn’t find his tail or his house or much of anything; his expectations are so low that the effort doesn’t seem worth it. The cycle of negativity churns as expectations drop further: we do less, we achieve less and, predictably, the outcomes worsen. And our initial diminished expectations are reinforced. As with all self-care, a committed, daily practice is ideal. Slowly but surely, we are able to reframe and recalibrate as we build new muscles and develop new habits.
Posted on: Sun, 14 Dec 2014 03:29:25 +0000
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