Optimism = Growth, Pessimism = Decay
In biology, there are two major processes, growth and decay. Growth is when an organism increases, when it thrives, when it blossoms or physically matures. Decay is the process of death. It is a process by which things are consumed by the earth. It is a process that leads to the physical deterioration of ALL living creatures. Decay is the process by which death occurs.
In a philosophical sense, these two processes are governed by equivalent forces; optimism and pessimism. Optimism, which is an energy closely associated to love, is the energy associated with growth. Optimism represents a belief in increase, a belief that things will become more abundant, a belief that things will quantify. Pessimism is closely related to the emotions of cynicism, despair, hopelessness, and contempt. Pessimism represents lack, entropy, a belief that darker forces will prevail, and an inability to be content with life circumstances. I once heard a quote that stated:
“The difference between the middle class and working class is that the middle class believe tomorrow will be better, and the working class believes tomorrow will be worse.”
If you want to know whether your life or business is in growth or decay mode, you simply have to look at your emotions. Our emotions set the mode that our life is in, not the other way around. Are you hopeful and excited about tomorrow? Do you feel unbounded joy? Do you look for the good in people? Do you focus on what you have instead of what you lack? If so, your life is in growth mode. When your life is in growth mode, circumstances will turn out as desired, opportunities will become abound, and you will be excited about and satisfied with the outcome of your future.
However, when your life or business is in decay mode, you will feel opposite feelings. You will only focus on what you lack. You will only see the negative in people. You will feel alone. You will criticize others. You will be moody and temperamental. You will believe that your back is against the wall and feel dissatisfied or inadequate.
Few people realize that they can change the course of their life by simply changing their outlook. Optimism breeds success. For example, when making the light bulb, Thomas Edison tried 10,000 different filaments before his light bulb finally worked. A pessimistic person would have given up long before then. However, Edison, the optimist that he is, continued to press on. Napolean Hill, author of Think and Grow Rich and The Laws of Success urged Edison by saying, “Keep trying, you’re going to succeed really soon because you’re running out of things that don’t work”. Taking Hill’s advice, Edision continued until he succeeded. If Edison would have been pessimistic, his invention would have died because pessimism rules decay.
I’m going to leave you with this universal rule. Optimism is the energy that governs growth, pessimism is the energy that governs decay. Pessimism will kill your dreams, relationships, business aspirations, and ambition. However, if you hold on to your optimism, even in the face of a fierce and ferocious storm, sunny skies and lavish green grass will follow it.
love it…