The importance and benefits of optimism | News, Sports, Jobs – Iron Mountain Daily News

NIAGARA, Wis. I had a real dose of reality as I began this column today, as I always do, with its date of publication in the upper left-hand corner. Yes, it is the beginning of a new year, but not just any new year. The beginning of this new year is also the start of an entirely new decade, 2020. It sounds so futuristic, doesnt it? Almost scary, even! While I was still working, any reference to 2020 was always preceded by the word, vision. Vision 2020 doesnt sound scary or foreboding at all it sounds exciting and promising. So, going forward, that is how I have decided to view this upcoming decade through that optimistic lens, because when living life with a vision, we are more likely to see potential. When we see potential, we begin to take positive steps toward fulfilling that potential until it becomes reality. When vision becomes reality, our world is a better place.

Of course, the sticking point is when we try to determine just what that vision for our world should be. Whose vision? What are the priorities? What are those issues that, if addressed, will make the biggest positive difference for the most people? The answers to those questions, for each of us, will determine how we vote in the coming election. And the outcome of that election will determine the future course of our country and the world.

But, for today, each of has the power within ourselves to create a personal vision for our individual lives; a vision of a few changes we could make so we could be happier in the coming year. So, lets start there. How do we create such a vision? How do we find more happiness? Research has shown that it helps to be an optimistic person, and that if you are not an optimistic person by nature, it is important to understand that optimism can be learned.

In an article about the benefits of optimism, Elizabeth Scott cites research done by Martin Seligman that illustrates the differences in how optimists and pessimists explain the various situations in their lives. Optimists explain positive events as having happened because of themselves. They also see them as evidence that more positive things will happen for themselves in the future and in other areas of their lives. Conversely, they see negative events as not being their fault. They also see them as being isolated flukes that have nothing to do with other areas of their lives or future events. Positive events are cause for personal celebration, and negative occurrences do not defeat them. Pessimists, however, believe that negative events are, indeed, their fault. They believe that one mistake means more will come and that mistakes in other areas of their lives are inevitable because they are the cause. They see positive events as flukes that are caused by things outside of their control and that probably will not happen again. With work, pessimists can learn another way of thinking a process known as cognitive restructuring that will help them consciously challenge their negative, self-limiting thinking and replace it with more optimistic thought patterns.

About now, some of you reading this may be thinking, I am who I am. There is no reason for me to change at this point of my life. Well, it just so happens that research has shown there are very definite benefits to having an optimistic view of life. Here is some food for thought.

1. Optimistic attitudes lead to better health. One study showed that people who were optimistic at age 25 were significantly healthier at ages 45 and 60 than those with a pessimistic outlook. Studies have also linked pessimistic thinking to higher rates of infectious disease, poor health and early mortality.

2. Optimism leads to greater achievement. Studies of athletes have shown that when both individual athletes and teams believe they can win, they perform better. Companies are paying attention to this research and have begun hiring optimistic thinkers for this reason.

3. Optimism leads to greater persistence. Optimistic people do not allow isolated, difficult circumstances to defeat them. They follow the old adage, If at first you dont succeed, try, try again.

4. In a study of clinical depression, it was found that training a depressed person to think in a different way about their life worked better than medication to improve their overall well-being. Patients who had optimism training gained the ability to more effectively manage future setbacks.

5. Optimistic thinking promotes longevity. Research has shown conclusively that people who take a more optimistic approach to life live significantly longer. And studies involving cancer patients have shown that an optimistic approach to their treatment led to better outcomes.

6. Overall, optimistic people experience less stress in their lives. Because they believe in themselves and their abilities, they expect good things to happen. They view negative events as isolated incidents and minor setbacks they can easily overcome. They view positive events as signs of more good things to come. Believing in themselves, they also take more risks, which opens the door to more potential opportunity.

We all have the ability and the power to create the world in which we live. First, we need to believe this to be true. If this does not seem natural to you, start slowly. Begin by taking a look at your life and asking yourself how you feel about it and what, if anything, needs to be changed. If you do not think you can do this objectively, ask a trusted friend or a relative whose life you think looks pretty good. Ask them how they managed to have the level of happiness that seems to be only wishful thinking for you.

And then allow them to help you. Follow their example. You may be surprised to learn that their road has had almost as many bumps and wrong turns in it as yours, but they made different choices along the way. The changes you decide to make do not have to be big nor do they need to cost a lot of money. The important thing is to first decide upon a course of action and then to begin. And, give yourself time. As the old saying goes, Rome was not built in a day.

With a little time and effort and patience you will soon have your personal Vision 2020 and be on your way to a happier new year.

Next week, will discuss the many ways people can cultivate real happiness in their lives.

SENIOR LIVING

FACILITIES

Freeman

Kingsford

Scenes and sounds, noon Sunday and 11:30 a.m. Monday through Saturday.

Sunday: Uno, 1 p.m.; dunking donuts, 2 p.m.; church, 2:15 p.m.

Monday: Room visits, 10 a.m.; brouhaha, 11 a.m.; library cart, 1:30 p.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; ice cream social, 3 p.m.

Tuesday: Craft, 10:30 a.m.; reminisce, 1 p.m.; Kentucky Derby, 2 p.m.;

Wednesday: Room visits, 10 a.m.; rosary, 10:30 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; movie and popcorn, 3 p.m.

Thursday: Reading buddy, 10:30 a.m.; Bible study, 1:15 p.m.; Crystal Hogan, 2 p.m.; Lawrence Welk, 4:30 p.m.

Friday: Whats cooking? 11 a.m.; parlor games, 1:15 p.m.; Golden K bingo, 2 p.m.; happy hour, 3 p.m.

Saturday: Meet and greet, 10:30 a.m.; daily newspaper, 11 a.m.; oldies but goodies, 1 p.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; evening news, 6 p.m.

Iron County

Medical Facility

Crystal Falls

Sunday: One-to-one church visitors, 8:30 to 11 a.m.; room visits, 9 to 11 a.m.; Pictionary, 10 a.m.; bingorama, 2 p.m.; Church of Christ, 3 p.m.

Monday: Crafts, 9 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; Sunshine Club, 2:30 p.m.

Tuesday: CF library, 9:30 a.m.; book club, 10 a.m.; Catholic Mass, 10 a.m.; travel film, 1:30 p.m.; getting pretty, 1:15 p.m.; mens club, 2 p.m.; action movie, 6 p.m.

Wednesday: Coffee social/current events, 9:30 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; surprise musical concert, 2 p.m.; night bingo, 6 p.m.

Thursday, Puzzler, 9:30 a.m.; bowling, 10 a.m.; Bible study, 1 p.m.; wildlife film, 1:30 p.m.; Christ United, 2 p.m.; happy hour, 2:30 p.m.

Friday: Crafts, 9 to 10:30 a.m.; casino trip, 9:30 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; faces and places, 2 p.m.; classic movie, 6 p.m.

Saturday: Price Is Right/taste test/trivia, 10 a.m.; geri-gym, 11 a.m.; intergenerational social hour, 2 p.m.

Manor Care

Kingsford

Wet your whistle, 9:30 a.m. Sunday through Saturday.

Exercise, 10 a.m. Sunday through Saturday.

Lobby activity, 11:15, Sunday through Saturday.

Popcorn Day every Friday.

Sunday: Just jokes, 10:15 a.m.; companys coming room visits, 1:30 p.m.; Protestant church, 3 p.m.

Monday: Who, what, when, 10:15 a.m.; Catholic Mass, 2 p.m.; chips and chatter, 2:30 p.m.; lobby activity, 4:15 p.m.; pokeno, 5:45 p.m.

Tuesday: All shook up match, 10:15 a.m.; bowling, 2 p.m.; lobby activity, 4:15 p.m.; movie and manicure, 5:45 p.m.

Wednesday: Sharpen your senses, 10:15 a.m.; Golden Throats entertain, 2 p.m.; lobby activity, 4:15 p.m.; flip five, 5:45 p.m.

Thursday: Crosswords, 10:15 a.m.; K bingo, 2 p.m.; lobby activity, 4:15 p.m.; creative coloring, 5:45 p.m.

Friday: ABC game, 10:15 a.m.; Catholic Mass, 2 p.m.; chips and chatter, 2:30 p.m.; movie, 3:15 p.m.

Saturday: Current events, 10:15 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; movie, 3:15 p.m.

Maryhill Manor

Niagara, Wis.

Rosary, 8:30 a.m. Sunday through Friday.

Sunday: Catholic Mass, 9 a.m.; help your neighbor, 10:15 a.m.; penny ante, 2 p.m.; Protestant service, 2:30 p.m.

Monday: Spelling bee, 10:15 a.m.; You be the judge, 2 p.m.

Tuesday: Resident council, 10:15 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; whammo, 6:15 p.m.

Wednesday: Protestant service, 9 a.m.; derby day, 10:15 a.m.; Yahtzee, 2 p.m.; Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 3 p.m.; movie and popcorn, 6:15 p.m.

Thursday: Catholic Mass, 9 a.m.; board game , Scattegories, 10:15 a.m.; jokereno, 2 p.m.

Friday: Exercise, 10:15 a.m.; trivia and hot cocoa, 10:30 a.m.; happy hour with Ray and Mindy, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Pamper and polish, 10:15 a.m.; pizza party, 2 p.m.; bingo, 5:45 p.m.

Victorian Pines

Iron Mountain

Juice time, 10 a.m. Sunday through Saturday except Wednesday.

Exercise, 11 a.m. Monday through Friday.

Shopping days: 10 a.m. Tuesdays and Fridays, must sign up.

Sunday: Bible study, 2:30 p.m.; refreshments, 3 p.m.

Monday: Bingo, 2 p.m.; refreshments, 3 p.m.

Tuesday: Trivia, 2 p.m.; refreshments, 3 p.m.

Wednesday: Bingo, 2 p.m.; refreshments, 3p.m.

Thursday: Music with Gail, 2 p.m.; rosary, 3 p.m.

Friday: Bingo, 2 p.m.; refreshments, 3 p.m.

Saturday: Movie and popcorn, 2 p.m.

Florence Health Services

Florence, Wis.

Morning news, 6 a.m. daily

Beauty shop open Tuesday and Thursday.

Snack cart, 7 p.m. Sunday through Saturday .

Sunday: Bingo, 10 a.m.; music with Grace and Dave, 2 p.m.; reminisce, 6:15 p.m.

Monday: Bingo, 10 a.m.; coffee and chat, 11 a.m.; uno, 2 p.m.; reminisce, 6:15 p.m.

Tuesday:Flippo, 10 a.m.; coffee and chat, 11 a.m.; Wheel of Fortune, 2 p.m.; social hour, 3:30 p.m.; picture look, 6:15 p.m.

Wednesday: Trivia, 10 a.m.; coloring, 2 p.m.; reading, 6:15 p.m.

Thursday: Pastor Jason, 10 a.m.; coffee and chat, 11 a.m.; manicures, 2 p.m.; reminisce, 6:15 p.m.

Friday: Catholic church service, 10 a.m.; coffee and chat, 11 a.m.; Pictionary, 2 p.m.; social hour, 3 p.m.

Saturday: Bingo/family and friends social time, 10 a.m.; movie and popcorn, 2 p.m.; reminisce, 6 p.m.

Pinecrest Medical Care Facility

Powers

Sunday: Grace church, 10:15 a.m.; current events, 10:30 a.m.; cards, 2 p.m.; board game, Trouble, 3:30 p.m.

Monday: Life connections, 9:45 a.m.; busy bee, 12:45 p.m.; worship and communion service, 1:30 p.m.; rosary, 2:30 p.m.; bean bag toss, 3:30 p.m.; Scrabble, 6 p.m.

Tuesday: Employee of the Month meeting, 10 a.m.; resident council, 10:30 a.m.; busy bee, 12:45 p.m.; bingo, 1:45 p.m.; Scattegories, 3:30 p.m.; one-to-one visits, 6 p.m.

Wednesday: Omelet breakfast, 8 a.m.; Jim Clement, 2 p.m.; cribbage, 3:30 p.m.; room visits, 6 p.m.

Thursday: Exercise, 10:30 a.m.; busy bee, 12:45 p.m.; bingo, 1:45 p.m.; cards, 3:30 p.m.; board game, Sorry, 6 p.m.

Friday: Catholic Mass, 10:30 a.m.; busy bee, 12:45 a.m.; book cart, 3:30 p.m.; one-to-one visits, 6 p.m.

Saturday: Trivia, 10:15 a.m.; coffee social, 10:30 a.m.; mind joggers, 2 p.m.; manicures, 3:30 p.m.

SENIOR CENTERS

Note: All centers ask for 24-hour advanced reservations for lunch. Those who have meals delivered who will not be home should notify the center.

Alpha-Mastodon Center

906-875-3315

Meal at noon every Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

Read more here:
The importance and benefits of optimism | News, Sports, Jobs - Iron Mountain Daily News

Reviewed and Recommended by Erik Baquero