Comments on: Rate YOUR Three Dimensions of Optimism

By: 12 Happiness Activities – Part 1 « A Content Life

12 Happiness Activities – Part 1 « A Content Life — Fri, 22 May 2009 11:15:41 +0000

[...] are three dimensions of optimism and Mary at Goodlife Zen has a post that describes all three. Try to determine which dimensions cause you the most [...]

By: Anthony

Anthony — Fri, 22 May 2009 07:33:12 +0000

I think being a realist is the right balance between pessimism and optimism. Anthonys last blog post..Find Telecommuting Opportunities with Online Tutor Jobs

By: Jack Woodyard

Jack Woodyard — Mon, 18 May 2009 01:33:55 +0000

As always, great stuff. Count me in on the experiment maybe I can get down to that core belief system and make some changes. Jack Woodyards last blog post..Choosing Happiness

By: Nadia - Happy Lotus

Nadia - Happy Lotus — Wed, 13 May 2009 22:04:42 +0000

Hi Mary,

I would love to do such a post! Thank you so much for the offer.

Nadia – Happy Lotuss last blog post..Think Big!

By: Mary Jaksch

Mary Jaksch — Wed, 13 May 2009 22:00:57 +0000

Hi Nadia!
It’s great that you’re going to the conference. Maybe you could write a post for us about what you learn?

By: Nadia - Happy Lotus

Nadia - Happy Lotus — Wed, 13 May 2009 21:53:56 +0000

Hi Mary,

Next month is the First World Congress Meeting for the International Association of Positive Psychology and Dr. Seligman is hosting it. I am fortunate to say that I will be attending the Congress because I am a member. Needless to say, I love this post!

Optimism is one of those things that is much more fascinating than I realized. As someone who is an optimist, I have always found it to be easy but with my work and experience, it really is not a natural state of being for everyone. However, the good news that it can be learned. Yay!

Nadia – Happy Lotuss last blog post..Think Big!

By: Kay

Kay — Wed, 13 May 2009 16:03:07 +0000

Can’t find the “Print this article” button, and see that the last of the tables is still backwards. But have re-read the whole thing for my own study–it is a great post!

By: Mary Jaksch

Mary Jaksch — Wed, 13 May 2009 12:44:04 +0000

Hi DiscoveredJoys!

“Can you have too much optimism, too much happiness?”

That’s a very interesting question.

I have to agree that over-the-top optimism. the kind that’s born of denial leads to more suffering, not to less.

On the other hand, I notice that I’m much more creative when I’m optimistic. And much more grateful. And more content too.

And then there’s this strange thing, synchronicity. When I’m optimistic, I tend to notice more things that give rise to optimism.

I think that we can be optimists and still have a good dose of realism that can perceive suffering. Whereas blind optimism tends to turn away from suffering.

A quiet, calm life is a great thing.

I must admit though… I favor adventure:-)

By: Mary Jaksch

Mary Jaksch — Wed, 13 May 2009 12:32:37 +0000

Hi Kaushik!
I definitely agree that papering over pessimism, let alone depression does not work. That’s why I’m interested in Seligman’s method of making pessimists more optimistic. He discards all the happy, clappy new-age stuff.

I think when we’re present, we’re actually ‘optimistic’. Just simply because we are open to what is and what may become.

Whereas morose people hang out in their dark stories and find it very difficult to be present.

By: DiscoveredJoys

DiscoveredJoys — Wed, 13 May 2009 09:41:01 +0000

I’ve been thinking about the blog; I’ve also done the test.

The test showed that I was mildly optimistic about bad things and mildly pessimistic about good things. Now I’m not saying for a moment that my results are special (honest!). I’m suspicious of simple tests. But – it made me wonder if aiming to be relentlessly optimistic was always a good thing.

Aiming for a quiet, calm, attitude to life may not be exciting, but it may lead to being more contented.

Can you have too much optimism, too much happiness?