When tragedy strikes or bad luck befalls us, it can be hard to gather the strength to carry on with a positive outlook. We may even become resentful or bitter towards those who have a tendency to see the silver lining and take life less seriously. However, there are proven benefits to those who persist with positivity and embrace a more laissez-faire attitude beyond simply being happier.
The best way to overcome the bad things in life is by continuing to find what makes you happy and letting the negativity roll off your shoulders. It isn’t easy to do, but the benefits are worth the effort you put in to change your outlook!
Let It Be
Some people just take life less seriously, allowing things to happen without dwelling or wishing things could change. This can be described as a laissez-faire attitude, which roughly translates to “let it be.” People who possess this type of attitude aren’t necessarily careless or apathetic. Rather, they accept that there are things that they cannot change and try to learn from the negative events that happen. Often, these “let it be” types use humor to cope and work through life’s many challenges.
Adopting such an outlook isn’t as easy as it may sound: This way of thinking is the result of hard work and positive mental conditioning. Many find the following techniques to help keep a positive perspective during life’s rough patches:
- Meditation
- Affirmation
- Exercise
- Cognitive Therapy
When people embrace a better outlook on life, not only do they become happier, but they also enjoy additional health benefits that have been scientifically linked to this change in attitude.
Happier, Longer, Better
Research has proven time and again that those who have a positive outlook on life have happier, longer, and overall better lives. In fact, the book 50 Secrets of the Longest Living People documented that people who live more than 100 years consistently have a resilient, positive, happy outlook on life. Additionally, embracing a more positive attitude attracts other like-minded individuals, creating your own network of happy, positive people. Positivity, laughing, and smiling have also been linked to significant health benefits, such as reduced risk for heart disease, cancer, and other serious illnesses.
One reason people may be hesitant to use humor and positivity in times of tragedy is that they feel it is disrespectful or abnormal — especially when used to cope with death. However, using humor is actually a great coping mechanism that allows us to heal in ways we wouldn’t be able to if we clung to our negative feelings. Additionally, those who embrace this type of outlook have more selectively positive memories, allowing them to reflect more on the happy times rather than dwelling on present tragedies.
Enjoy the Game
As we look through the positivity journal, it warms our heart to see so many entries professing to keep doing the things that Sam loved so much. While his absence is one of the most profound losses our community has had to overcome, it’s important that we all do so with positivity in our hearts — just as Sam would have done.
As Michael Jordan once said, “Just play. Have fun. Enjoy the game.” The best way to honor those we have lost or to overcome life’s challenging moments is to find the things that make us happy and keep a positive outlook. When we achieve this, we can look forward to a longer, happier, better life filled with others who believe the same.
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