3 quotes to think differently about optimism
Drink ! For you know not whence you came , nor why . Drink ! For you know not why you go , nor where .
Omar Khayyâm , Persian poet and scholar from the 12 th century – Or as we proclaimed in the 20 th century , Qué será , será .
You never know what worse luck your bad luck has saved you from .
Cormac McCarthy , American writer – Give Cormac a point !
Pessimism of the intellect does not prevent optimism of the will .
Antonio Gramsci , Italian philosopher , writer and communist – certain communists are wiser than others
2 scientific facts to understand optimism
# 1 . The brain has an easier time processing negative information than it does positive information . Probably due to our primal instinct for survival . According to an American study , five positive images are needed to make up for one negative image . For anyone still looking to explain the plethora of cat videos online , you have your answer ! The world has a thirst for optimism . What are you going to expose yourself to today ?
What if we were to bring being “ positive ”, and optimism , back to its former glory ?
James Clear , author of Atomic Habits , makes it clear : a tiny change can have huge results . Loosely inspired by his newsletter , 3-2-1 , we put our cards on the table , paying homage to optimism in 3 quotes , 2 facts , and 1 idea .
# 2 . That same human brain is blessed with extraordinary plasticity . Meaning it can be reprogrammed at any age , regardless of its lot in the game of genetics roulette ( for a large part responsible for our predisposition , or lack thereof , for optimism ) and in spite of all real-life experiences we go through . In other words , with regular training , you can teach your brain to reorient its attention towards the positive things surrounding it . Through repetition , it will develop a natural reflex towards optimism .
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