I was reading a post this morning by Connor MacIvor called 'Are People Just Born Positive' and I felt like I had more to say than just a quick comment.
He asks if being positive and having an optimistic point of view is something folks are born with or is something that their environment teaches them? I don't think that this can be answered definitely one way or the other. If you graphed this out with the percentage that somebody is born 'positive', you would most likely get a bell curve. A few people are born completely positive and some are born completely negative. Most of us are somewhere in the middle.
It is probably rare to meet people that were born on the exteme ends of the curve, rather they are usually somewhere in the middle. On the left side, you have the child that is just always happy, cheerful and playful, the one that just brightens the room when they walk in. While the child on the right hand side is constantly grumpy, complaining and a terror to bring anywhere. Most kids have a little of both, towards the middle of the curve. (I hope I don't offend any parents).
It is possible, however, for anyone to learn how to be positive, although it isn't always easy. The further to the right of the curve that you're born, the more difficult it would be to learn to be positive. There are plenty of books to read, blogs to read and advice to be gotten on the topic.
Pesonally, I was born to the slight left of middle. I have learned through watching others and personal experience that there is plenty to be gained with the right attitude and plenty to be lost with the wrong attitude. On a daily basis, I practice... and with two young children.... it certainly isn't always easy. I have to constantly watch myself, how I react, remind myself and practice. On a daily basis, it is a choice that I have to make to have a positive day. I tell myself... life is good and it goes a long way.
OK... I got that out.
Comments(7)