We are all different: cheerful and sad, smart and not very pessimistic and optimistic. They say that the latter is much easier to live, because they see in life only positive aspects. But is this so, and who is such an optimist in fact, it is worth investigating. To understand the characteristics of such a person, it is necessary to turn to the very term "optimism".
The meaning of the word "optimist"
As the etymological dictionary says, the word "optimism" is derived from the Latin optimus - "good, the best". Thus, the meaning of the word "optimist" is a person who believes in the best outcome of a particular case.
It is worth noting that optimists are not "people on one person" who can smile all the time, enjoy life and not pay attention to life's troubles. Psychologists say that there are two types of optimists: rational and irrational. Let's start with the latter.
Irrational and rational optimist
- An irrational optimist is characterized by a disregard for the analysis of the existing situation: he believes that even if nothing is done, everything will be just fine, and the problems will be solved by themselves.
- A rational optimist is not like that. He soberly analyzes any, even the most difficult situation, that is, he acts as a realist, and in the future he looks for ways out of it and has the confidence that he will find it and safely solve the problem that has arisen. He will not complain about life, panic; he will be depressed, but not because he likes everything in life, but because he is ready for action.
Who is an optimist?
It is important to understand who an optimist person is. It is characterized by a certain manner of behavior :
- this person hopes for the best and believes in the positive outcome of events;
- he has an analytical mind and mental equilibrium;
- As a rule, optimists represent the psychotype of sanguine people - people who are positive, active, sober-minded;
- they do not drop their hands even in the most difficult life situations, while they do not build "air locks" and do not show their unrestrained cheerfulness where it is inappropriate.
Is it good to be an optimist?
Probably, there is no unequivocal answer to this question. But if you analyze all the actions and thoughts of people of this type, you can come to the conclusion that an optimist is good. After all, he does not lose sight of life through rose-colored glasses, does not lose his presence of spirit in the most difficult situations. He is not a whiner, although he has doubts. Do not think that he never needs help, but if he gets it, he will be grateful, and if there is a failure, he will not lower his hands and harbor resentment or anger, but will seek other ways out of the situation.
Remember Donkey from the cartoon about Winnie the Pooh, who lamented: "Still can not ...", just referring to the cheerfulness and optimism of the bear cub? So, maybe, optimism is an innate quality, or you can still learn how to become an optimist using expert advice.