Optimism for Life

I've been reading quite a bit lately about positive thinking and optimism and came across this blog post on how optimism leads to better health and a longer life. It was very interesting that optimism had such an effect on a person's well-being. I've always thought that optimistic people felt better and were happier and wondered why everyone wasn't an optimist.

I will tie the answer to that query to another book I've read, Jon Gordon's "The Energy Bus." One of the rules Gordon writes about that has an impact on a person's energy and success is rule number one - You are the driver of your bus. Too many persons play the blame game when things are not going well or the way they wanted, but the rule is basically saying that you are the only person responsible for your life and how it turns out.

Another book I've read this past year is called "The Blue Zones." It describes various pockets around the world where a larger than normal percentage of persons live to be over 100 years old. Although each area ate differently - mostly unprocessed, however - each group was "extremely positive," according to Dan Buettner, the author of the book. Wrote Buettner, "Especially considering that these populations ate such different foods, the case for optimism as the greatest common denominator in health and longevity is enhanced.

We can make ourselves happy or sad, angry or contented. It is not the outside circumstances that determine how we react, it is our perception of the world and our decision to feel a certain way. Optimism is a choice, and based on the article and the book, a great choice if we want to live longer and healthier.