Are you an Optimist or a Pessimist? Do you try to see the positive side of life or are you dragged down by the negative side of life?
It’s hard to be positive all the time when life throws challenges at us and I think it’s only human to be ‘down’ at times.
Right now, in Australia, we are preparing to vote in The Voice Referendum on whether to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Peoples of Australia in the Constitution through an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice.
The Voice will be an independent, representative body for First Nations peoples.
- It would advise the Australian Parliament and the Government.
- It would give First Nations peoples a say on matters that affect them.
This has unfortunately caused division within the community and at times it has been very difficult to feel optimistic about the future of our Country and it’s First Nations people. Something which should have been addressed long ago.
However, despite all the negative that is happening across the globe, our mindset and how we view life plays a huge part in our happiness.
This month’s theme from Action for Happiness is about being Optimistic. It’s about setting goals that you can look forward to.
Optimistic is an adjective that describes someone who has a positive outlook on life, expecting good things to happen, and believing that things will generally work out for the better. It refers to a mindset characterized by hope, confidence, and a focus on the positive aspects of a situation.
Optimists tend to approach challenges with enthusiasm and see setbacks as temporary obstacles that can be overcome.
As an Action for Happiness Volunteer, part of my role is to share ways to be kind and find happiness. Each month I share the Action for Happiness Calendar which provides daily prompts to help you enrich your life and find joy.
Optimism – 3 top tips with Vanessa King
In the following video, Vaness King, a board member at Action for Happiness and author of our Ten Keys to Happier Living book details her 3 top tips to stay optimistic. They include:
- Cultivating a sense of agency and control in our lives
- Building our sense of connectedness with Nature
- Spotting beauty and excellence around us
Optimistic October – Action for Happiness Calendar
Download Pdf Version
Optimistic October
Will you take the challenge for October and try to include a more positive and optimistic mindset into your life? I’d love to hear from you and your ideas on staying optimistic in a difficult world.
I selected my featured image because the colour is so uplifting and hope it brings joy and positive thoughts to you as it does to me.
Sending love and happiness to you my dear friends…
31 Comments
Thanks for the October action for happiness calendar – it was a great prompt last month.
Hi Barbara, I love the calendars and think they are great reminders for living well. Little prompts each day certainly help, don’t they? Have a lovely October. x
I tend to be an optimists as much as possible. It helps to not look at the news too much to help maintain it. Thanks for sharing a great action plan
Janine, has been very negative especially lately. We need to be informed but sometimes we also need to take a little break and be in our bubble for a time. x
I’m always optimistic, Sue – I think it’s the only way to live.
That’s an excellent outlook on life, Toni x
I always try to be optimistic although sometimes with a setback I have a few days of misery before I get my thinking on track. Your calendar is excellent and I’ll do my best to follow it!
We are so alike, Susanne. Sometimes if I’m feeling a little down I just lean into it and know that in a day or so I’ll be back to feeling good again. Take care and have a lovely October. x
Hi, Sue – I love these Action for Happiness Calendars. They are always so inspiring and filled with small, simple things we can that often make big positive differences in our lives. This month’s calendar focus in especially fitting for me. I am currently reading Lisa Genova’s (neuroscientist and author of “Still Alice”) nonfiction book “Remember.” As a brain and memory expert, Genova confirms that our mindset and how we view life plays a huge part in our happiness. She gives great reminders that we often reap what we sow.
I loved the synergy of your post and my current book reading.
The Calendars are great, aren’t they Donna? You’ve had so much to contend with over the last month it would be hard to remain optimistic. I’ve read ‘Still Alice’ and recently saw ‘Remember’ so will check that out. Take care, my friend and hope October is better for you and Richard xx
In Canada the colour orange has become synonymous with Indigenous rights as well as truths and reconciliation. It is sad that it is a divisive issue in either of our countries.
As to the optimist pessimist balance — my dad was firmly in the pessimist side and so I have spent my entire adult life choosing to be optimist and finding the silver lining. There are times where it has been a challenge but I can’t go down that negative road of life. If I want to see what that looks like I just hang out with my siblings. I will have to take a closer look at the calendar above and pick a few actions. Bernie
Hi Bernie, I love Orange but didn’t realise it’s significance in Canada. I do remember our visit to Canada four years ago and it appeared that acknowledging the First Nations People was front and centre with all of our tours. Our referendum is now under two weeks and it is sad to see the way Australia is divided. On a positive note, like you I try to be optimistic because being negative not only brings you down but also those around you. Life is to be lived and we need to look for the sunshine rather than the storms which usually pass anyway. x
Hopefully things will settle once the referendum is complete but there will always be those negative people on both sides. Yes Indigenous rights are very front and center here as they should be.Berni
I hope it does, Bernie because Australia is changing and not for the better. I don’t want my grandsons growing up in an uncaring society. x
The province next to us just elected an Indigenous premier and there are 9 members of legislation that also are. The % of the population is changing and times need to change with it. Bernie
I do love the Action for Happiness calendars, Sue. I generally tend toward optimism, but when it comes to politics and the divisions in the U.S. (and many other parts of the world), I do find it challenging to be positive.
I love the calendars, too, Christie and they certainly are a great reminder at the start of every month. I think we are all finding it challenging to remain upbeat with all that is happening in our world at the moment. We just have to try, don’t we? x
I love that chart – I might pinch it and give it a go. I was wrong on Marriage Equality (on the outcome, I was a yes) and I am hoping I am wrong on the Voice too. It shouldn’t be as hard as it is, and I do think certain media empires, appearing to be all tied in with mining, seem to be pretty vocal on the no. Australia has become very strange in the last 10 years – kind of meaner. Or maybe SM just allows us to see it. I don’t know. Now I am sounding very pessimistic. Better start doing the chart asap 😉
Yes, Lydia certainly take the chart and run with it. I feel like you do that Australia has changed and as you describe it has become ‘meaner’. It’s so sad and I feel concern for my grandchildren growing up in this divisive society. Fingers crossed for the Voice outcome and moving forward. x
Hi Sue, As you know I love that cover image, it’s so optimistic and happy! These calendars are fabulous and give us a focus. I also shared it on my blog’s facebook page as others may need to see some reminders of how to stay optimistic. I agree with you on politics here in Aus at the moment it seems to be very divisive. Have a great month.
PS. By the way I see myself as an optimist 🙂
I thought of you when I took that photo Deb. The flowers were glorious and Orange is definitely an optimistic colour. x
I like to think I’m optimistic – not so much glass half full as I’ve drunk the first half, it was bloody good and now there’s room for more.
Oh I love that glass analogy, Jo! Just perfect. x
Nothing beats a little bit of optimism Sue – and Vanessa is certainly a shining example. Good on you for being an advocate for happiness and sharing the calendar each month for inspiration. Here’s to an optimistic October. 🙂
Hi Leanne, I love the calendars as they are always such a great reminder and their themes always relevant. xx
Hi Sue – what a great calendar and prompt! I have learnt to be much more optimistic in my mindset than perhaps I was in my younger days. I think that in midlife we realise that we have more life behind us than in front of us, and after losing a parent/s or loved ones our own mortality becomes far more real. We want to be our best selves and squeeze as much joy out of life that we can, despite hardships and struggles along the way. xo
Always enjoy the Action for Happiness calendars, Min. Each month’s theme always seems timely to me. Have a lovely time out from your blog and see you when you get back. x
Thank you for linking up
I cannot comment any other way from my computer. This is via my phone. Hope you understand
Denyse
I’m sorry Denyse you’ve had these issues but thanks as always for trying. I know you will read my posts when I link up so don’t worry about the hassle of leaving a comment. x
I like to think I’m an optimist and I really believe that having a positive attitude is good for one’s health. I absolutely love the calendar – what a great idea! As for the referendum, it blows my mind that there is a No campaign – I really hope everyone does the right thing at the polling stations on the day. I’m an optimist after all!
The calendars are great, Sammie and the prompts are always timeley – perhaps we can be optimistic that the Yes vote will get through. xx