Limelight:
A glass half full
By
Lubna Abdel Aziz
A new year begins for all, a new adventure into the unknown. Like voyagers in time, travellers to eternity, we dock for now at the year 2004. We wander on its fertile shores to explore its many offerings. An abundance of joys, as well as an abundance of sorrows await us, that is certain. In our journey's quest for triumphs, for treasures, for a myriad pleasures, we again resolve to improve ourselves year after year, journey after journey. While the soul is willing, the flesh is forever weak. Our firm resolutions are abandoned within days, weeks, or months.
Still, that sense of rebirth, that undying hope, forces us to believe that good things can happen, and "forces us to do something to make them happen". Even if we do break our resolutions, we can always start again. New Year resolutions are as old as recorded history starting with the ancient Babylonians 4,000 years ago. Their favourites were paying off outstanding debts, returning borrowed tools, both practical and ethical. To them resolutions were a reflection of their belief that what a person does on the first day of the New Year will have an effect throughout the entire year -- a thought worth dwelling upon.
This year will be better than all others; this is the year we will keep our resolutions, or so we resolve. As long as we are intent on improving ourselves and our lot, we are moving forward one step, then another, in the right direction.
On our forward march we come to a fork on the road with two directions, one indicates our glass is half full, the other, our glass is half empty. Our basic instincts determine our choice. We either travel up the road of optimism or down the road of pessimism. Our nature guides us and decides our destiny.
Optimism (Latin optimus, best) is an emotional disposition, a gift of the gods granted to some, denied to others. The term became current in the early 1800s to describe German philosopher Gottfreid Wilhelm Leibniz's doctrine, that this is "the best of all possible worlds". Optimists maintain that "the world is on the whole good and beautiful." They possess the tendency to look on the bright and hopeful side of life. They are happy to be alive.
Researcher Martin Seligman of the University of Pennsylvania in his famous classic book Learned Optimism, conducted groundbreaking work on Optimism and discovered that, even among children the highest scores for optimism were predictive of excellence in everything. Furthermore optimists are more resistant to infectious illnesses, "and are better at fending off chronic diseases of middle age". In one study in 1980, 96 men who had had one heart attack were studied. Within 8 years, 15 of the most pessimistic died of a second heart attack, but only 5 of the 16 optimists died. Optimists in general possess a set of "self-serving illusions" that enable them to maintain good cheer and health in a universe essentially indifferent to their welfare even if their good cheer is unwarranted, it accomplishes more than realism.
Studies from the Mayo Clinic show that optimists live longer than pessimists, their immune system is more effective and they are more likely to seek medical advice and generally stick to a healthier regimen. Optimists believe that good things will last, whereas pessimists close the vistas of hope.
A list of optimists shows that the greater minds have a hopeful view of life. Plato, Aristotle, the Stoics, St Augustine, St Thomas Aquinas, the Scholastics Leibniz, Kant; Fichte, Hegel, Lotze, Wundt, and the Old Testament: "And God saw all things that he made, and they were very good" (Genesis: i31)
What about pessimists? Are we doomed for life? Do we carry it in our genes? Can we too learn the ways and skills of those blessed by the gods? Scientists believe we can. In a workshop of pessimistic university students, "Seligman and Buchanan" found that they were able to learn social and work skills that helped them avert chronic negative thoughts. They also reported fewer health problems.
Alan McGinnis another major researcher of the 1990s believes Optimism is a major factor in living a healthy successful life.
So what can we do to improve our lot? We can, should, must improve our lot. It is time to ring out old rusty detrimental habits, ring in hope, good cheer and a can-do spirit. We turn to experts for some guidelines.
Speak to yourself more kindly as you would a loving friend. Instead of "I'll never get it right", tell yourself "I'll do better tomorrow." If you are fired from your job do something pleasurable that will distract you. Trying to solve problems with a negative frame of mind results in no solutions. You can break the pessimistic cycle if you boost up your mood and self-esteem. "It takes most people a few weeks to get the knack, but once the technique is learned, the less likely they are to relapse." That is well documented.
Though we strive on hope and should work on a positive attitude and always look on the bright side, we must guard against disastrous letdowns, naïve and unrealistic expectations. "We need to believe in ourselves but not to believe that life is easy." Life is not easy, triumph is not guaranteed, but tough-mindedness, perseverance and optimism are fundamentals.
Nay Sayers and forecasters of doom are unpopular and to be avoided. Seek the company of those who see the doughnut not the hole.
Now that you are mentally equipped, or can become so, you are ready to make those New Year resolutions, and as a good optimist, you are certain that this is the year you are going to keep them. Attainable goals are more rewarding. Pick one or two resolutions that you can keep. Do not let a setback dash all hopes for success. If at first you don't succeed.....
What about picking a resolution! It is important. Living with an aim, a purpose, a mountain to climb, a river to cross, gets that adrenaline going. Consider some of the things you wish to improve upon this year.
If you are a smoker -- QUIT.
If you drink excessively, restrict the amount to two drinks a day or three glasses of wine.
If you are overweight, the millennium's epidemic, eat less, exercise more.
If you are a spendthrift, try to save.
If none of the above apply simply maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Other resolutions to consider: renew old friendships; forgive an injustice; pay a compliment; pay a debt; apologise when you are wrong.
Put yourself in someone else's shoes; try to understand a point of view that opposes yours.
Avoid the purveyors of doom and gloom, they only drag you down.
Don't abandon your old fashioned principles, "they never go out of style!"
Studies show that a negative frame of mind offers fewer or negative solutions. By boosting your self-esteem you can break the barriers of pessimism. Humour saves years of your life. It can be done. You can be free again of your depressive state of pessimism in only a few weeks. It is well documented that optimism once learned and enjoyed, a relapse is unlikely. You can control your thoughts just as well as your muscles. Let your old habits die with the old year.
If you cherish life, do not squander time, "for time once lost is never again found". This is the year it will all happen; this is the year of the glass half full. Make yourself laugh. Laugh at everything, laugh at nothing, laugh at yourself. Observe the children -- laugh as they do. "Laughter is the best medicine!"
So on your journey of 2004 may your days be filled with laughter, and may all your wishes come true. Walk tall, smile more and above all -- laugh,
And
"May God bless you
and send you a Happy New Year
May God send you a Happy New Year!"
