I deeply appreciate your writing, Gary, and how your meditation practice informs it. Self awareness is the key to mental health—if we remain unaware of what and how we’re thinking, it’s impossible to avoid being deluded by whatever our minds cook up.
Natural optimism grows from knowing ourselves deeply, learning how to separate from our thoughts, and beginning to understand that no matter what happens, we will be okay.
Who would I rather hang out with? Good question @Gary Buzzard! It seems there is an innate bias in relation to being human, amongst other ones, called the negativity bias. In short, the negativity bias is the psychological tendency to give more weight to negative experiences or information than to positive ones, even when they are of equal intensity.
What this means is that it takes more energy, focus, dedication and ingenuity of mind and spirit to counter, dare I say, overcome this bias to live more happy, enjoyable and content lives to the extent this is even possible. Meaning, it takes a pivot of some proportion or another to move the needle to the optimisitc way of weighing life, and more to the point our internal experience.
All to say, I'm putting time and energy into moving the internal needle to where you are hanging out in your mindspace. Nice to be with you on the Friday! :)
Thanks, Dr. Rice, for educating me on the negativity bias. That's helpful. Thank you for reading and commenting. I have always been optimistic in nature, but it was my meditation and mindfulness that moved the needle significantly for me.
I had not heard that before, Sydney. I'm so glad you brought it up. Optimists are often dumped on as not being very smart, and not fighting the rotten system--when optimism is the biggest threat to the system. Thanks for joining in, Sydney.
I so enjoyed what you had to say about aging with optimism, Gary! I, too, am an optimist who chooses to be friendly to others and look for the best in every situation. It truly helps!
Thanks, fellow traveler--I'm happy to see people who are optimists, and not afraid to admit it. I can no longer travel in a world of pessimism and cynicism. Thanks for reading and commenting, Anne.
Thank you. I absolutely agree with being a positive person, an optimist. That’s how I have chosen, and continue to choose to live my life. I enjoy seeing the grins and surprises on stranger’s faces when I give them a compliment. That is circular. I walk away feeling happier, too.
It is startling, Dr. Rollins. A ninety something woman told me that 96 percent of her birth cohort is dead. Old age can get lonely unless we make an effort to reach out to new friends. Thanks for reading.
With you every step of the way with optimism and positivity, Gary. And yes, it can mean criticism for being 'unrealistic'. But I don't care. I'd rather live with optimism and hope than in dread of the grim reaper!
Wise words that have given me food for thought. I’m not a pessimist, but I do consider myself a realist. I refuse to ignore the idea that death is coming sooner than later because it spurs me into action to make every day count. I am fortunate to live in a multigenerational household, so I am very much a part of all three generations living here. While I’m not an optimist, I am always hopeful. I have no fear of the future and perhaps that’s one of the greatest blessings I carry with me. Thank you for your words of wisdom. They’ve given me a lot to think about in adjusting my own thoughts.
I deeply appreciate your writing, Gary, and how your meditation practice informs it. Self awareness is the key to mental health—if we remain unaware of what and how we’re thinking, it’s impossible to avoid being deluded by whatever our minds cook up.
Natural optimism grows from knowing ourselves deeply, learning how to separate from our thoughts, and beginning to understand that no matter what happens, we will be okay.
Thanks for writing.
I couldn't have said it better, Heather. Self aware is the key to mental health, indeed. Thanks so much for reading, and for your kind words.
Who would I rather hang out with? Good question @Gary Buzzard! It seems there is an innate bias in relation to being human, amongst other ones, called the negativity bias. In short, the negativity bias is the psychological tendency to give more weight to negative experiences or information than to positive ones, even when they are of equal intensity.
What this means is that it takes more energy, focus, dedication and ingenuity of mind and spirit to counter, dare I say, overcome this bias to live more happy, enjoyable and content lives to the extent this is even possible. Meaning, it takes a pivot of some proportion or another to move the needle to the optimisitc way of weighing life, and more to the point our internal experience.
All to say, I'm putting time and energy into moving the internal needle to where you are hanging out in your mindspace. Nice to be with you on the Friday! :)
Thanks, Dr. Rice, for educating me on the negativity bias. That's helpful. Thank you for reading and commenting. I have always been optimistic in nature, but it was my meditation and mindfulness that moved the needle significantly for me.
Such an interesting combination: by nature and by design of being mindful. A happier type of living.
Joy is an act of resistance.
I had not heard that before, Sydney. I'm so glad you brought it up. Optimists are often dumped on as not being very smart, and not fighting the rotten system--when optimism is the biggest threat to the system. Thanks for joining in, Sydney.
I so enjoyed what you had to say about aging with optimism, Gary! I, too, am an optimist who chooses to be friendly to others and look for the best in every situation. It truly helps!
Thanks, fellow traveler--I'm happy to see people who are optimists, and not afraid to admit it. I can no longer travel in a world of pessimism and cynicism. Thanks for reading and commenting, Anne.
Thank you. I absolutely agree with being a positive person, an optimist. That’s how I have chosen, and continue to choose to live my life. I enjoy seeing the grins and surprises on stranger’s faces when I give them a compliment. That is circular. I walk away feeling happier, too.
That's so true, Charlotte. Kindness and optimism are circular. The more you give the more you get. Thanks for commenting.
Thanks, Gary. I am a 77-year-old radical optimist. Good to meet you. Wow, what a startling percentage of people have died by the time they are 80!
It is startling, Dr. Rollins. A ninety something woman told me that 96 percent of her birth cohort is dead. Old age can get lonely unless we make an effort to reach out to new friends. Thanks for reading.
With you every step of the way with optimism and positivity, Gary. And yes, it can mean criticism for being 'unrealistic'. But I don't care. I'd rather live with optimism and hope than in dread of the grim reaper!
Thanks for the encouragement, Patricia. Optimism and hope will keep us sane and a lot happier.
Spot on! 🙏🏽☮️🖖🏽
Welcome to Substack, Jeanne. Thanks for reading my article and commenting. The encouragement means a lot to me.
Wise words that have given me food for thought. I’m not a pessimist, but I do consider myself a realist. I refuse to ignore the idea that death is coming sooner than later because it spurs me into action to make every day count. I am fortunate to live in a multigenerational household, so I am very much a part of all three generations living here. While I’m not an optimist, I am always hopeful. I have no fear of the future and perhaps that’s one of the greatest blessings I carry with me. Thank you for your words of wisdom. They’ve given me a lot to think about in adjusting my own thoughts.