As usual, I like to get inspiration for my blog post from the AMCC course material. Why not? It’s free (for me) and reliable (for you)!

Today, I’d like to share with you some of the content of a chapter called Mental Hygiene in the course Vital Hygiene 122. The theme of this chapter is the difference between optimists and pessimists.

How to be Happy

Here are some quotes about happy people:

“Living a happy life is a concrete choice.”

“Happiness is a choice which must be tended to on a daily basis, because it must be cultivated.”

“Happiness is a lasting state, a balanced spirit and mood independent of exterior circumstances, whether favorable or not.”

Or how not to be happy:

If you’re motivated by possession, or any other source outside yourself, you become dependent on things, people or events over which you have no control.

Happiness has also nothing to do with satisfying desires, which provide only temporary pleasures but leave us longing and unsatisfied in the end.

The lack of interior and exterior space and freedom eliminates any possibility of developing both the self and individuality, another common trait of happy people.

In conclusion: if we know you we are, we can find our place and feel useful. Should this quest not be undertaken, we would need to seek in others what is lacking in ourselves, that is to say an identity and a place.

Traits of an Optimist

With respect to things or circumstances, the optimist:

looks for the positive aspects of things, has a sense of wonder, sees things in constructive ways and is enthusiastic;
looks for solutions to problems and has projects, considers obstacles as challenges;
is not set back by adversity and opposition;
handles positive criticism;
sets an example though actions;
is a source of courage for people around them:
- by way of thought, conveys attitudes of trust, success and progress;
- verbally encourages and stimulates.

With respect to him or herself:

knows that reality must first be accepted in order to change it;
is determined and has a positive image of him or herself;
is ardent and enthusiastic, will take advantage of any circumstance and is not easily discouraged;
has inner trust and a positive mental, physical and social attitude, and believes in his or her good fortune;
is proud of what he or she does, is open to life and appreciates what is beautiful and good.

Traits of an Pessimist

With respect to things or circumstances, the pessimist:

likes to find bad aspects to things, and thinks he or she is unlucky, crushed by events and a victim of circumstances;
has difficulty tolerating life’s hardships; is afraid of tomorrow;
thinks the neighbour is better off;
feels destroy by criticism;
has a bad influence on others:
- by way of thought, is easily discouraged;
- complains about being unlucky, having few friends and little chance of getting ahead;
- in action, will demotivate others and undermine their self-confidence.

With respect to him or herself:

perceives reality though his or her moods;
is indecisive and has poor self-esteem;
feels crushed, always ready to give up when faced with the first difficulty;
feels lost and destined to failure;
is afraid, which leads to doubt, discouragement and bitterness, often resulting in failure.

So now you have all the tools in your hands to choose which path you want to travel in order to be happy. And don’t forget: we choose every day anew, in order to cultivate our happiness and make sure it’s long-lasting. Maybe next time I’ll write about another part of the Mental Hygiene chapter in that course: keys to success. Here’s a quote in the meantime:

“Our greatest glory is not in always remaining on our feet, but in rising up again after we fall.” You want to be happy but you failed again? Rise up and don’t give up!

If you likes this article, maybe you’ll also enjoy:

TMC Charter to Manage Your Emotions

Hunger, Where Does it Come From?

Green Exercise