True Optimism: A Prescription for Getting Through Hard Times

"The sky is falling! The sky is falling!" cried Chicken Little. If you are unfamiliar or don't remember the story of Chicken Little, I invite you to watch one of the versions of this classic tale produced in 1943--another challenging time in our Nation's history--by Walt Disney (click here). As you will see, there are many lessons to be learned from Chicken Little's plight that can be applied to what is happening today!

Yes, make no mistake about it: we live in difficult, uncertain, and confusing times. On the economic front, the mortgage meltdown, credit crisis, and draconian job losses are all part of a vicious cycle that appears to know no end. "Yes, Virginia, there is a Recession." But is there still a Santa Claus? I heard the other day that many holiday office parties are being cancelled this year, presumably in response to the financial crisis. Is the Grinch going to steal Christmas this holiday season after all?! Except for the beneficiaries of what has now become a common word in our vocabulary, "bailout," it is beginning to look this way, isn't it? "Bah-humbug to that scenario!" Let's not be like Chicken Little and add more fear-mongering fuel to the existing fire of existential angst. That's not going to solve anything. Besides weakening the efforts to revive the economy (to say nothing about how fear-mongering plays havoc on our foreign affairs), cries of "the sky is falling" may do worse; they may prove to be a self-fulfilling prophecy!

In life's most difficult situations, it is our capacity to cope and our personal resiliency that that are put to the ultimate test. It is then that the "freedom to choose our attitude" takes center stage (see both my previous post and YouTube video clip on this topic). The responsibility for choosing our attitude, of course, lies solely and soundly with each one of us. No matter how much we may want to do so, it cannot be transferred to someone else. I have made this claim over the years not only to individuals facing personal challenges, but also to various corporate and government clients, especially in cases where workers, including executives and managers, seem intent on "bitching and moaning" about their working conditions but don't appear willing to do anything about them.

I'm reminded of the Far Side cartoon that shows people mingling at a "Part of the Problem" Convention because it illustrates to an absurd level how limited and negative our thinking can become. We celebrate our freedom to choose our attitude at work only when we decide to move from being a part of the problem to becoming a part of the solution. And in our personal lives, too, it doesn't work to wait for solutions magically to arrive; we have to be a part of the solution. NBA coach Phil Jackson, in his book, Sacred Hoops, cautions us to remember that the best way to realize your dreams is to wake up! In other words, being part of any solution also means taking action.

When we choose our attitude in light of what I call true optimism, we actually make three choices: (1) we choose a positive attitude about the situation at hand; (2) we choose an attitude that supports a form of creative visualization about what's possible; and (3) we choose an attitude that generates passion for the action that makes the possible become a reality. In other words, being a "true optimist" requires more than just positive thinking. Positive affirmations, like good intentions, aren't enough; we need to be able to visualize the possibilities that may result from our choice of attitude, and be able to feel the emotion or passion behind our choice of attitude that will help us actualize or realize such possibilities.

We each have the ultimate freedom to make these choices, but it is amazing how frequently we don't. We either "choose" to abstain from taking full responsibility for what should be our conscious choices or "choose," albeit unconsciously, to remain frozen in thought patterns that may no longer serve our highest good. In short, we become prisoners of our thoughts.

Man is not free from conditions. But he is free to take a stand in regard to them. The conditions do not completely condition him. Within limits it is up to him whether or not he succumbs and surrenders to the conditions. He may as well rise above them and by so doing open up and enter the human dimension...Ultimately, man is not subject to the conditions that confront him; rather, these conditions are subject to his decision. Wittingly or unwittingly, he decides whether he will face up or give in, whether or not he will let himself be determined by the conditions.--Viktor Frankl, M.D., Ph.D.

In my work and personal experience, I have encountered clients, co-workers, friends, and family members who are stuck in old habits of self-imprisonment (and, of course, I've "been there, done that" as well!). They display the power of negative thinking about a given work or life situation, assuring that they could never visualize a better tomorrow. Or they are steeped in so much fear of the unknown (again, remember Chicken Little!) that they have essentially immobilized themselves, effectively avoiding any kind of risk, or have reacted in ways that essentially "work against themselves." The ultimate freedom to choose their attitude and a positive future, no matter how desperate they may be, seems as foreign to them as a life in which they could feel truly fulfilled and happy.

So how about you? Even if you believe that the "sky is falling," what are you going to do about it? Are you willing and committed to be a part of the solution rather than a part of the problem? Are you ready to say "bah humbug" to the Grinch-like conditions that are trying to get you to surrender? Are you a "true optimist?"

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You can find out more about Dr. Alex Pattakos, author of the international bestselling book, Prisoners of Our Thoughts, in his HuffPost Bio and at http://www.prisonersofourthoughts.com. Contact Alex at: [e-mail].

Follow Alex Pattakos on Twitter: www.twitter.com/DrMeaning

Comments

[mr jellyneck]

Some people either break down or get stronger when something bad happens to them. Those who get stronger are those who become thankful that they're still here on Earth with the ones they love. Sometimes I'm just in awe of how blessed I am and how fragile all of situations are (what's here today may not be here tomorrow). That can either scare you or empower you. I choose to be empowered by what I have knowing it's fleeting.

[Alex Pattakos - Huffpost Blogger]

Beautifully said! Thank you so much for the inspirational and empowering words of wisdom. Indeed, life IS both beautiful (to borrow from the Academy Award-winning movie with this title) and a blessing. And as I point out in my book, Prisoners of Our Thoughts, courage is not the absence of fear, but the willingness to go through the fear. Bah humbug to anything less!

[WendyAron]

I agree with Gymbunnybee. It's only after we are capable of feeling gratitude for what we do have, that we are ready to take positive steps to get the things we'd like to have.

Wendy Aron, author of Hide & Seek: How I Laughed at Depression, Conquered My Fears and Found Happiness

[Alex Pattakos - Huffpost Blogger]

Excellent point, Wendy! And congratulations on your new book, "Hide & Seek: How I Laughed at Depression, Conquered My Fears and Found Happiness" http://www.amazon.com//Hide-Seek-Depression-Conquered-Happiness/dp/1601641583/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1229034909&sr=1-1). Chicken Little you are not! Thank you for sharing.

[Glamorosa]

Alex, I really enjoy reading your blogs.

My focus although challenging is to expand in the midst of the
contraction. Its a daily challenge so I continue to support myself by reading positive uplifting material,
staying away fro negative fear mongers. I daily meditate and pray to find opportunity in all that is going on in our world.

If one man can rise above the most difficult scenario (Victor Frankel) then we also have the same possibility. Nathalie

[Alex Pattakos - Huffpost Blogger]

Thank you! I greatly appreciate the feedback and value your comments. And thanks for sharing your "focus" along with some of the things that you do to stay focused. Although "expanding in the midst of contraction" may be a challenging goal, it is a worthy one, especially if it is grounded in meaningful values (which I'm sure that it is!). It also sounds like you believe in the "Law of Attraction­."

[Anne Naylor - Huffpost Blogger]

Hi Alex

I have just read your post and really appreciate what you say. It matches so much of my own experience. I look forward to reading more of you on HuffPo.

Thanks for your reminders!

Anne

[Alex Pattakos - Huffpost Blogger]

Hi Anne, I viewed your HuffPo Profile and visited your web site. I see the "match!" Thank you for your kind comment. And stay tuned!

[stayinsouth1981]

I keep saying to my friends and family that the financial meltdown can be good for us. It's made me appreciate that my husband and I decided we wanted a lifestyle we could support with menial jobs. We are both well-educated. We don't care to work ourselves to the bone. Thankfully, we share financial beliefs. We live in a tiny house, drive paid-for, older cars and don't shop for THE NEWEST THING. The one thing we splurge on is our support for our local university athletic department. It's cheap entertainment and the kids appreciate that we are at every baskteball game, volleyball, baseball, softball, soccer... etc. I love my life. BTW, my house payments are HALF what I used to pay in rent. Yes, there is a SANTA CLAUS and he's YOU!

[Alex Pattakos - Huffpost Blogger]

Thanks for your inspirational and insightful comments! It's wonderful to hear someone say, "I love my life," especially during hard times. It doesn't mean that we would ever want to wish "hard times" on anyone; on the contrary. To be able to distinguish what "really" matters in life--like the way that you and your family are doing--during such times demonstrates that there is more to "life" than we often think exists. Thank you again!

[stayinsouth1981]

Check this out. The study has been wonderful. The tasks changed my attitude, bit by bit.

http://www.authentichappiness.sas.upenn.edu/Default.aspx

[RH64]

This is a great article! I believe that all experiences we have, even the so-called "bad" experiences, all end up working for our greater good. The catch is that we need to realize this contemporaneous with the experience. I'm working on how to do this and your article is a helpful tool for me. I've looked back on my hard times and understand that no experience is ever a waste or bad if I have learned from it. Thank you Alex!

[Alex Pattakos - Huffpost Blogger]

Well said! And a BIG thank YOU for your kind comments!

[WilliamProc]

For many of us, however, the glass is...

GONE!

[Alex Pattakos - Huffpost Blogger]

I'm sorry that you feel this way (unless you are trying to add a dose of humor to the conversation!). The glass is never GONE, even though there obviously are times when we may not "see" it. As the actor and comedian, Eddie Murphy, said in the movie, Beverly Hills Cop, "trust me," on this one!

[gymbunnybee]

The key and absolute ROOT of true optimism is APPRECIATION. For the things you have, have had and look forward to having.
Best advice my father has ever given me - when you are at your lowest, take a look at the fellow who is even lower than you, then give thanks for what you have.

[Alex Pattakos - Huffpost Blogger]

Great advice! Imagine if everyone listened to your father's advice. Unfortunately, too many of us focus on the glass (of our lives) being "half-empty" rather than "half-full­." I even had a client once tell me that his life's glass was not only half-full, it was leaking! Greater appreciation may prove to be one of the side "benefits" of the current economic situation. Thanks for sharing!