Optimism-An Elixir

OPTIMISM means a tendency to look at the brighter and the positive aspects of life. It is a philosophical doctrine that this world is the best of all possible worlds. It also states the ultimate triumph of good over evil.

Taking an instance, if someone is distressed, and something serious has happened to him, how would he behave? Would he start grumbling and complaining about that event, or would he keep himself poised and tranquil, waiting for the right moment to come?

Now if he observes the positive aspects more than the negative ones, he is an optimist. Optimism is not an inborn attribute. It can be achieved through continuous practice and selfassurance. However, if one observe the dark aspects of life more than the good ones, it would be known as pessimism. Just as a picture has two sides, human life also contains two aspects: optimism and pessimism. Optimism belongs to those who have unfaltering belief in the existence of God that there is a mighty power planning all this, and the reward will be fruitful, if one remain consistent and show perseverance.

There is a general consensus that Attitude makes the difference. Hence, a positive mind set can help in achieving sky high ambitions and ideals. It also affects the shaping of ones personality. Optimism leads towards self-belief, and confidence. History bears testimony to the fact that most of the historical figures lived their lives optimistically, faced all the obstacles with open arms, and governed their destiny. An optimist does not regard the external or unfavorable circumstances hinder their accomplishments. A common criteria to check ones bent of mind to is given glass of water, filled to half its capacity, as half full or as half empty. An optimist will regard it as Half full where as a pessimist will take it as Half empty. This is where Attitude matters, and directs ones actions.

Similarly the statement Life is nowhere can also be used to testify ones approach. The optimist will read it as Life is now here. Paradoxically, a pessimist will go through it as Life is nowhere.

Glancing at History, Pakistans existence also is the miracle of optimism. Quaid-e-Azams perception of looking at the brighter side of life won him the battle in the shape of Pakistan. Despite the fact that all the evil forces were working together to demoralize and dispirit his strength of will, yet optimism triumphed at last.

Optimism is the other name of hope. Having no hope besides is a sin refers to the idea that hope is an elixir for diseased hearts. Nevertheless, it is a Herculean task for a person to dwell on positivity al the times, and think all good, yet its not impossible. It is within the reach of an individual to go on in life, and surmount all the difficulties that come in his way of progress only if he is courageous enough to deal with it. The different other forms of Optimism are over optimism, nave optimism and strong optimism These are the overarching mental states wherein people believe that things are more likely to go well for them than go badly. In Psychology, Optimism has been shown to be correlated with better immune systems in healthy people who have been subjected to stress. Martin Seligman, in researching this area, criticized academics for focusing too much on causes for pessimism and not enough on optimism. He stated that in the last three decades of the 20th century journals published 46,000 psychological papers on depression and only 400 on joy. This reflects that society, in general, is tending to be pessimistic with the growing technological advancement and massive production of armaments of mass destruction. The greatest examples of pessimism are thought to be the two World Wars wherein people suffered from a collapse of confidence, and even religious creeds were put in question. However, this baffled state was over shadowed by the positive far-reaching outcomes of science and its accompanying development. Ultimately, society is divided into two sects: Optimists and pessimists where the latter are the defeatists, taking every misfortune as their fate. It is said that There is a touch of Optimism and

goodness in every worry that befalls. Therefore, all of us must explore a silver lining in every cloud. It will be a moral victory indeed. To conclude, one should never yield and surrender in front of adverse conditions, rather follow the dictum i.e. Defeat should not be a source of discouragement, rather a fresh stimulus. Together with optimism, this will be the golden key for an exotic future.