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Leaning into Optimism
The fault line in my family ran straight across gender. The women (mom and I) tended to fret in advance of situations, while the men (dad and brother) were born optimists. So although I don’t come to positive thinking easily, some of it courses through my DNA. I’ve discovered that with daily practice, it’s possible to shift my outlook. A good martini really helps too.
Photo by Shane Terry
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Have we been separated at birth or something? This is similar to my family (although my mom and I are the fretters, while my sister tends to be more optimistic, and the “boys”–dad and brother–are the positive thinkers). While I don’t think being a total optimist is exactly a good thing (the extreme of that would be delusion) it would be nice to be more positive. I, too, am working on it.
May your fast be an easy one.
I like being around optimists, in part because it reminds me of my Dad. It’s nice that we share that. Thanks for your good wishes about the fast, which I’m dreading right now, but it’s always worse to imagine it than it actually is. Hmmm. Sounds like I should be practicing some optimism.
Wendy, I read your recommendation of the Calm meditation app a while back, and decided to try it myself. I’ve also attempted to start a regular meditation practice more times than I can count. Anyway, the app has helped me stay on track, and a couple weeks in, I feel like it may actually be “sticking”. One thing I’ve noticed is that the racing, worried thoughts (about events that have yet to occur) have subsided a bit. Still taking baby steps, but it’s an empowering reminder that we don’t have to be slaves to our minds.
That’s so cool, Jessica. Keep checking back in about this. I’m so curious to know if it keeps working for you.