Friday, September 7, 2012

Optimism vs. Pessimism


A repetitive theme is surfacing in my coaching sessions for some of you.  The theme is the nature of optimism vs. pessimism rather positive vs. negative or even more so victim vs. conscious creator.  I thought I'd share below with everyone with the intention that it can help us all.

You've heard me mention before that we create our environment whether we put ourselves in a prison of negativity, blaming others and not taking responsibility of our own actions OR we create an environment of positive energy, shifting our thoughts to support that notion/truth that anything is possible when we are mindful of our actions.

We have a choice.  Every moment is a clean slate to learn and grow and become the person we are meant to be. Every moment is an opportunity to practice a lifestyle of well-being in the purest sense of the word covering every aspect of our lives.  As you know, this has an overall effect on everything we do. Everything, from work related initiatives to personal ones.

Below is a helpful tip to dislodge us from a disempowering pattern.

The difference between Optimism and Pessimism is really quite simple. It’s all about our frame of reference to the world.

     In any given moment we either choose to be a victim or we choose to be conscious creator. 
  • One strategy is to practice noticing when we are on cruise control heading into a victim frame of mind.
     So how do we catch ourselves heading toward the land of poor me?

     If you find yourself:
  • complaining
  • criticizing
  • blaming
  • gossiping and 
  • comparing
you can be pretty sure you’re camped out in Victimhood—the unhappiest, powerless place on Earth.

  •      Get off at the next exit by asking yourself this: “What do I want?”
    Victims consistently focus on all the things that are wrong in their lives including the people they live, work or share breathing space with, which is really just a reflection of all their inner judgements.  The conscious creator gets crystal clear on what she/he wants.

     So, what do you want?

Mindfully Yours,
Pamela




3 comments:

  1. Nice post. I'm generally a very optimistic person, but when I get into a downward spiral, it's hard to break out. I have to stop and consciously decide not to go that way anymore. Then I sift through the say and look a what is good in my life. That usually turns it around.

    ReplyDelete
  2. It really can be that simple, Tahlia. Thank you for sharing what works for you! I am in awe more and more the power of our mind, rather the control over our mind that will either help us or hurt us. The key is to take control over it, practice being present and consciously choosing each moment what the direction will head into.
    All my best,
    Pamela

    ReplyDelete
  3. LOL, Pam! Goes along with what will post on my blog this week.....Obstacles vs. Opportunities! Love this post! Kathy

    ReplyDelete