Pessimism is Not a Choice

Many people think having a negative attitude is just another way of looking at life, or being ‘realistic.’ I couldn’t disagree more. When the choice between being positive and negative receives equal praise, we are looking at the picture all wrong. Being negative is something you should want to change. Being positive is something you should strive to become. One is not an equal to the other. One is the valley, while the other is the peak.


You Can Change

The most important thing to remember about your attitude is that it can be changed. “That’s the way I am, and that’s how I will always be,” doesn’t hold up to what I have personally experienced and seen in other people. You can change every aspect of who you are for better or worse.


The Root of the Worry

An unrealized goal could be causing subconscious negativity towards nonrelated areas of your life. For example, if you have continued to smoke after trying to quit for years, that stress and frustration could carry over into other areas of your life. It is important to find the source of your attitude problems. You may be trying to find solutions to a cause that isn’t responsible for your ultimate attitude.


What Are You Missing?

Make a list of things that you desire in your life, but have yet to attain. This may bring to your attention the real reasons for negativity or moodiness.


Laugh

Laugh at yourself. Laugh with others. Laugh out loud. Laugh to your-self. Laugh when you watch movies. Laugh when you watch television shows. Laugh when you hear jokes. Laugh when you tell jokes, but only if they’re funny. Laugh in the morning. Laugh in the afternoon. Laugh in the evening. Laughter is the best medicine for your physical, mental, and emotional health.


Put Things in Perspective

No matter how bad you think you have it, someone, somewhere, has it worse. It’s not a happy thought, but it can help to put your problems in perspective. Remember to look at the big picture when it comes to your problems. You will still need to deal with them, but your attitude towards these problems will be positive and you will have a greater amount of understanding.