Want to Hear A Secret?

I am a closet pessimist.  Well, I suppose that's not really a secret since I have all ready mentioned it in the "25 Things I'd Like You to Know About Me" list under the About TyKes Mom section.  But it is something that most do not know about me.  Many people who know me personally would consider me very optimistic.  I like to hope that I come across as optimistic to you, my readers, as well.

I used to dwell quite a bit on my pessimistic side...until I realized it was getting me, and those around me, nowhere.

Gretchen Rubin, author of The Happiness Project, achieved happiness in her life by "faking it."  She smiled when she wanted to frown.  She spoke positively when she had negative thoughts.  She reprimanded herself for negative thoughts and would quickly replace them with the silver lining.

This is a philosophy that I have lived by for the past several years.  I force optimism to feel optimistic.

The interesting part is that I could not fool myself.  I knew what was in my mind no matter how much I smiled but by being optimistic on the outside, I rubbed off on others.  Those around me would start to be more positive.  When I would smile, they would smile. 

When I would talk about the great things in life, they would talk about the great things in their life.  When I found the silver lining, they held onto that silver lining.

Mark Twain said "the best way to cheer yourself up is to try to cheer somebody else up."  I found through my forced optimism that this statement is certainly accurate.  What was in my mind did not matter when I could see those around me cheering up and thinking positively.  I rubbed off on them and they rubbed off on me.  Together, we became positive.  I shoved that pessimism deep in my closet and continually try very hard to keep mounds of silver boxes piled in front of the door.

Next time you want to say something negative or pessimistic, catch yourself.  Flip it around and state three positive things instead.  It will take some practice, but you will quickly reap the benefits, as will those around you.  When someone else is being pessimistic, show them the sunny lining around their rain clouds.  Keep a smile on your face and those around you will too.

Are you naturally a pessimist or an optimist?  How do you combat your pessimistic side?