Do you remember that commercial, “This is your brain” and they showed an egg and then, “This is your brain on drugs” and, if I remember correctly, it was an egg cracked open and hitting a frying pan? Well, I wonder what the portrayal would be of a brain on optimism?
It seems like we are being constantly bombarded with bad news and negativity these days and I personally find it draining emotionally. People going into foreclosure with their homes, the jobless rate going up, a war dragging on and so many young lives being lost or their bodies and souls being scarred for life. With money being in such short supply in this country and around the world, I found this headline, “US Plan Sees Shiny Future For Green Zone”, particularly untimely. The article goes on to say, “Forget the rocket attacks, concrete blast walls and lack of a sewer system. Now try to imagine luxury hotels, a shopping center and even condos in the heart of Baghdad. That’s all part of a five-year development “dream list” or what some dub an improbable fantasy to transform the U.S.-protected Green Zone from a walled fortress into a centerpiece for Baghdad’s future. But the $5 billion plan has the backing of the Pentagon and apparently the interest of some deep pockets in the world of international hotels and development, the lead military liaison for the project told The Associated Press.”
I guess, however, that we can’t worry about the things that we can’t control and can’t dwell on the tragedies that are unfolding around us, because if we do all of our lives will be miserable and I for one, would be totally unproductive and add to the problem.
Instead I seek out things to be optimistic about. Last night, for instance, Howtobefit.com met MeetUps.com and I had the first of my Sunday evening meetings to help people overcome their weight management and fitness challenges. It was among the most most rewarding 90:00 that I have ever spent, talking about what I do, sharing it with other people and knowing in my heart that I am directly making a difference in changing people’s lives and, if fact, giving them optimism.
Helping other people helped me to recharge my optimism and I hope that you can find a way to recharge your optimism, too. It makes facing the day’s challenges so much easier…
