The Distinction Between Optimism and Positivity

I learned this extremely intriguing idea regarding the distinction between positivity and optimism from Simon Sinek's podcast "A Bit Of Optimism."

Your current state is reflected in your positivity. It involves finding the positive aspects of the current situation. It is a viewpoint because it is a lens through which you view reality and because it enables you to have more positive experiences. I'm a strong supporter of optimism.

But optimism is distinct and equally significant. In learning this, we can see that optimism doesn't say much about how you feel in the moment, you can be optimistic even when you're feeling down. As Simon said in the podcast, "Optimism is not a denial of the current state, it's a belief that the future is bright, but it accepts current darkness."Undoubtedly, one can experience stress, worry, or anxiety. It simply enables you to accept it as passing.

That raises the question: how do positivity and optimism differ in real-world situations? I believe that many short-term strategies, such as parasympathetic breathing, thankfulness, and good body posture, are effective in changing your physiology so that you can feel good more easily. But to be optimistic, one must more actively live out their religion, submit to the process, and have faith that everything will work out for the best in the end.

So let's be hopeful and optimistic at the same time!