DATE: 10/02/2023
7:15 am
We often spoil the cherishable moments of our lives due to our pessimistic attitudes. During our downtime, we allow negativity to take over, causing us to focus on the worst. On the other hand, adopting an optimistic mindset allows us to extract the pure essence of positive moments and equips us to face difficult times. Philosophy itself is simple and straightforward, but the real challenge lies in how to remain optimistic.
How do we overcome negativity and destructive self-talk? How do we become radically optimistic? This is the hardest part, as it requires continuous effort, struggle, and work on oneself—an effort that can feel boring, painful, and unrewarding. This is why fewer people are optimistic and why negativity is so prevalent: most people don’t train themselves to be optimistic.
Discussing the importance of optimism is futile until we address how to cultivate it. To truly hold an optimistic, proactive attitude, one must start at the roots: the heart, stomach, genitals, eyes, ears, tongue, and nose. These organs are the originators of thoughts and desires. Therefore, we first need to address and align these areas.
Next, we need to train the most important muscle—the brain. The brain is like any other muscle: it requires training, just like the PV (Pectoral) muscles, biceps, thighs, and abdomen. However, unlike these muscles, the brain is often neglected. By training the brain, we can change the way it processes thoughts. While training the brain is difficult, it is possible, as the brain is capable of reprogramming itself.
To rewire the brain, we need to actively enforce a positive perspective. For example, when something has negatively impacted us, we must force ourselves to ask the brain to find and extract the positive outcome from the situation. This method works like repetitive exercise for physical muscles—repetition trains the brain. Over time, this process rewires the brain’s neural pathways, gradually transforming our attitude.
It is a painful and challenging task, which is why few attempt it. However, one additional practice can aid this transformation: writing down 3–5 daily blessings or good things that have happened to us. This must be done on physical paper with a pen—not just in the mind. Writing it out reinforces the practice and quenches the thirst for positive reinforcement.
Training the brain is not just about thoughts—it also involves physical actions that support mental change. Once the brain’s neural network has been rewired, circumstances will begin to look different, and we will start acting in alignment with this transformed brain.
