Optimism is the road to Success

No man, no situation or circumstance can harm us if we have a positive attitude. For, a positive attitude is self-friendly and hence, it will never let you down

If you study the habits of happy, contented, successful people, you will realise they know exactly how to respond to circumstances, positive or negative as they may be. They know exactly what they must do under any given circumstances - or if they don’t, they master and perfect the technique over a period of time; for I believe that successful people are also ‘learning’ people: they are lifelong learners in the school of experience. They know when they have to push really hard; they know when they have to take initiatives; they know when it is time to take risks; they know when they must stand still and not rock the boat; they know when they have to keep on plodding, no matter how unrewarding it may seem; and of course, they know when to let go, and let God take over the problems they cannot solve.

Successful people are always positive and optimistic in their outlook. Their attitude to the proverbial half glass is to regard it as half-full, not half-empty! Optimists generally believe that people and events are inherently good, so that most situations work out in the end for the best. Pessimism, on the other hand, is sometimes thought to be a negative self-fulfilling prophecy; that if an individual feels that something is bad, it is likely to get worse! Oscar Wilde defined a Pessimist thus: “One who, when he has the choice of two evils, chooses both.”

No man, no situation or circumstance can harm us if we have a positive attitude. For, a positive attitude is self-friendly and hence, it will never let you down.

Today, scientists are beginning to understand the value and power of what is called ‘thought energy’. They are beginning to study what our ancient rishis knew thousands of years ago. I am indeed happy that this truth has been reaffirmed in our days by influential thinkers and scientists. One of the fundamental laws of life is: “Energy follows thought.” As we think, so we become. If we fear a fall, we fall down. To put it simply, we are what we think. Hence, we should be very careful with our thoughts.

Thoughts have an inherent capacity to materialise. When you expect the best, you are likely to get it; when you expect the worst, the worst is likely to happen! When your mind is filled with negative emotions, you become insecure and fearful. You are overcome by negative thought patterns; “I may fail,” or “I may lose my money,” or “People may laugh at me,” and so on. This kind of thinking weighs you down. You let opportunities and chances slip by; you are afraid to make bold moves; you begin to stagnate...

As you think, so you become, is the immutable law of nature. Fill your mind with thoughts of joy, love, peace and harmony; these aspects will be reflected in your life. Give way to fear and despair you will sink into abject misery.

Pessimism, the negative way of looking at life, is a thoroughly destructive attitude. It is the greatest joy killer. It not only blights one’s life, it is also an infectious disease which its ‘carriers’ transmit to others.

All of us would love to be clairvoyants and know exactly how things are going to turn out for us - at work, in our relationships, in our examinations and in every other aspect of our lives. Wouldn’t we give anything to have that legendary crystal ball into which we could all gaze and find out all about the future! But God, in His infinite wisdom has chosen to keep the future hidden from us. So what do we do? We can expect the best and hope that things will turn out well. Or, we can expect the worst and conclude that things are going to turn out badly.

If we have had a few bad experiences in life been betrayed, let down, or disappointed, we are often reluctant to hope for the best.

It is said that John Ruskin had a carved stone on his desk, used as a paper weight; engraved on it was a single word: Today.

Live today; live in the present; live now you cannot wait indefinitely for an ideal tomorrow which may or may not come.

Whether you are at home, or in the workplace or among friends, you must exude optimism and positive thinking you will find it reflected right back at you!

If you are facing a challenge trying to win a game or just finish a difficult assignment, what kind of people would you like to have with you? Pessimistic people who keep telling you that you will fail or positive people who motivate you to expect the best?

We always gravitate towards optimists who expect the best out of life. Living a happy, contented life is a great challenge and a great achievement. It is a challenge that is best met with optimism.