Ok, not gonna lie, I am OBSESSED with this phrase “rational optimism”. Finally it feels like this definition is getting to the heart of what us optimists feel.  We dive into the definition and what this means today. 

Transcript:

Welcome to Everyday Happiness where we create lasting happiness, in 2-ish minutes a day,  through my signature method of Intentional Margins® (creating harmony between your to-dos and your priorities), happiness science, and musings about life. 

I'm your host Katie Jefcoat and I read a quote recently that I just have to share.  

Shawn Achor says “Rational optimism does not start with rose colored glasses, it starts with the realistic assessment of the present.”  Oh wow, that’s good right.  So many times we think optimists are not rooted in reality. Achor says we can be “realistic about where we are but maintain the belief that our behavior matters''.  Oh yes! Mic drop.    

We can be “realistic about where we are but maintain the belief that our behavior matters''.  If we don’t think our behavior matters, what are we doing this all for? Right?  Of course our behavior matters.  Our happiness habits matter.  The way we are realistically and rationally optimistic matters.  It’s rooted in realism.  

Bad things can and may happen.  Either to us personally or we just see so much negativity around us.  Being optimistic does not negate that there is negativity in the world.  Heck, we could be in a dark place, we could be fighting a disease that is trying to kill us, we could be stuck in a situation that is so terrible it’s hard to see a way out - and yet, still be optimistic.   Optimistic that there is more.  Optimistic that there is a better way.  Optimistic that our behavior, our fight, will be worth it.  

Rational optimism is where I’m landing today and I like where this is going because it is rooted in our current reality - whatever that may be right now.  

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