Vision
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In order to carry a positive action we must develop here a positive vision.
His Holiness the fourteenth Dalai Lama / leader of Tibetan Buddhism / 1938–present
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Humor
Humor is an unassuming yet powerful skill that can change your perspective and often influence those around you in a positive way. It can be used internally to transform fear and release any stress that you happen to be experiencing, and it can be leveraged socially to lift another’s spirits, diffuse a tense situation, or even improve focus. With respect to the former, we have come to learn that humor can be an effective instrument in healing, hence the expression “Laughter is the best medicine.” In fact, practitioners in the field of medicine have put forth results from countless studies that prove humor and laughter can boost the immune system and accelerate healing within our bodies and minds. Laughter can be a powerful technique to overcome many facets of fear, and Samuel Clemens suggested the same when he stated, “Against the assault of laughter nothing can stand.”
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Because your perception often dictates whether a stressful situation is interpreted negatively as a threat or positively as a challenge, finding the humor in a difficult situation can allow you to influence your interpretation in a constructive manner. Once you identify something humorous in such a situation, smile about it and even allow yourself to laugh if appropriate. Such actions can go a long way in easing tension, and they can also positively influence those around you. Avoid focusing on humor that comes at the expense of others, as that’s merely another form of fear. Humor can be considered a defense mechanism for the ego; regardless, it can also help manage fear in a proactive manner. Whether you utilize humor internally, through thought to improve your outlook and manage your own emotions, or leverage it in a social situation by making light of a shared difficultly, for example, it can be used to rapidly turn the tables on fear. In general, you will go farther in life if you don’t take things too seriously. After all, no one gets out alive, so why not enjoy the time you have and make the most of it while lifting the spirits of those around you. On a similar note, life can be considered a learning experience in which there are no wrong choices; however, some roads are clearly more difficult than others, and all choices have consequences. Regardless of which path you find yourself on any given day, seeing the humor that’s all about will make the journey much easier and more enjoyable.
Optimism
Optimism can simply be defined as a positive outlook, the practice of which often feeds other positive traits, including hopefulness, confidence, and happiness. Of course, it’s the opposite of pessimism, or the focus on negativity, that stems from insecurity. That type of focus inevitably has unfortunate consequences, such as suffering, illness, hatred, and violence. Alternatively, a focus on optimism naturally leads to increased opportunity, fulfillment, and success. It’s also a key component to sustaining mental, physical, and emotional health. Once we understand the various benefits of optimism, it becomes a simple choice. As Winston Churchill stated, “For myself I am an optimist—it does not seem to be much use being anything else.”
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To be more optimistic, strive to look on the bright side of life, meaning focus on the positive when interpreting things. Given that like attracts like, you will find people to be more positive and opportunities all about if you think and act positively. No one can be positive all the time, but if you strive to focus on the positive, then your life will improve accordingly. Give yourself credit for overcoming challenges, look for the best in others, practice compassionate understanding, view each experience as a lesson, seek opportunity in change, and hope that the future will be beneficial. Negativity and adversity may be unavoidable; however, how you choose to deal with such obstacles will influence your thoughts and feelings and inevitably determine your future. Also, remember that pain is a given in life but that the majority of suffering that typically accompanies pain is optional. Therefore, deal with negativity in a positive manner and then move on to better things.
To facilitate optimism, it’s important to act positively as well. For starters, you can consciously replace negative thoughts with positive thoughts by adjusting your focus. This is essential because thoughts lead to actions, and actions trigger more thoughts. In addition to shaping our lives, the actions we take define us as individuals. As Aristotle stated, “We become just by performing just action, temperate by performing temperate actions, brave by performing brave action.” Define your goals in life and then take decisive action to achieve those goals. Other positive actions to pursue include speaking positively or constructively, taking good care of yourself and your surroundings, supporting those around you, and persevering, for example.
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Don’t compare yourself to others; rather, focus on where you’re at, where you want to be, and how to get there. Our individual outlooks on life vary because each person has a different personality and a unique upbringing. The former can naturally cause one to be more optimistic or pessimistic than others, and the latter often conditions one in ways that shape beliefs and attitudes based on experience. Nevertheless, as adults, we each choose what to focus on and how to act. It might be more difficult for one person to be optimistic than another, but the potential exists, no matter who you are or what your situation may be. The key is to view life as a teacher and then to make a conscious choice to seek continuous improvement. Also strive to be optimistic on a consistent basis because the adoption of positive thoughts and actions will improve your current situation and also shape your life for the better.
Empathy
Empathy is the ability to identify the situation of another and come to understand how he or she feels. By imagining yourself in another’s position and experiencing that individual’s feelings, you gain valuable knowledge about that person as well as his or her circumstances. Such a practice can allow you to learn from the experiences of others without necessarily having to face the same challenges yourself. It can also give you an appreciation for that individual and thereby improve your ability to relate or communicate. In addition, it can enhance your compassion. Given these factors, it’s evident that empathy is a valuable skill to hone, which is what Thoreau suggested when he said, “Could a greater miracle take place than for us to look through each other’s eyes for an instant?” Practice empathy to expand your awareness and to help others. That in turn will naturally enhance your personal power.
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When individuals are at odds, they typically become anxious and then focus inward, which leads to greater insecurity, selfishness, and shortsightedness. Typically, people can come to terms through communication and compromise, but before that can happen, they must empathize with others to understand their challenges. Such knowledge will lead to respect, and it’s also essential to bridge gaps and find the win-win in any given situation. A common example is when two people have a turf war over a project within an organization. They may fear such things as unfair workload, lack of recognition, or eventual termination, and as such, they treat their compatriots as adversaries. This not only impedes productivity and progress for all involved but also adds to the conflict and competition. This is the reason many large organizations lose focus as they expand. People grow apart, communication suffers, and battles arise within. When the culture of a company encourages teamwork and rewards communication and selflessness, the business thrives. It’s critical that the members of an organization come to realize this in order for the business to succeed. In the same manner, it’s essential for people of different nations, creeds, colors, ages, and religions to realize this as well in order for humanity to survive long term. Empathy can make the world a better place for all involved.
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