Comments about ‘Optimism: Is it earned or learned?’

"Is the glass half-empty or half-full?"

Neither. It is completely full. The top half is full of air....

Every thing is contagious. Keep smiling, don't worry be happy.
The feeling of self satisfaction or content, is learned. It's all inside your head

I'm surprised to find no mention of any attempt to correlate the results of the happiness questionnaire with what I would consider a more objective and "bottom line" indicator of general "happiness". That is, the suicide rate.

I'm sure there are many factors that play a part in the statistics of either measurement. But, to not include or even mention the suicide rate as part of some international measure of happiness seems to be suspiciously inadequate.

But, then again, maybe that's just my less-than-happy, glass-half-empty perspective talking. ;o)

This applies to so much of life, even choosing a spouse. It's funny how before I was married I was attracted to women who were pretty, intelligent, and seemed confident. I found such a woman, but also found she was not happy internally and often moody or depressed. It's funny how that didn't raise some red flags, because I hadn't been explicitly taught to look for someone who was already happy with herself and others. Well, of course, this reared up in marriage and someone who doesn't know how to be happy before marriage will not be happy in marriage. They will always look for external reasons for their inner despair,until they learn to look at things differently. People who are not happy can cause a lot pain and destruction.

Now I know that happiness should be the most important trait in the one you choose to share your life with you.

I have been accused of being an optimist.

I believe our attitude is entirely what we choose it be. In the moment of dire circumstances, it may not feel like we have any choices, but if one starts to make the conscious effort to debate negative thoughts and find ways to be grateful and look on the positive, it can affect the way you see the world.