Can people learn to have a positive attitude?

[sachachua]

How can people learn to see everything in a positive light? Can they learn it, or is it something innate or difficult to change?

Something worth thinking about, because I have no idea what the right thing to do might be. Something feels a bit off. I suppose I can always just go on as much as I can and trust my intuition for the rest. It's odd...

Comments

[richip]

Can a positive attitude be learned? Why, of course! But before anyone can make that change, they have to be convinced that it's the right thing to do. They have to want it themselves. What does this person feel strongly about? Perhaps you could use that to show him/her the way. Most of the time I appeal to people's rational side (if they pride themselves in being rational beings).

What's up?

Perspective

[smitty1e]

Not to be morbid, but one never exceeds one heartbeat from the end.
Thus, the materialism, the comparisons with other people, the will-to-power, are all off the mark.
Pursue truth, ignore nonsense, and life is good.

[stryderranulf]

Positive Attitude comes with hope, I guess you can paint a better picture of the world so that the perception becomes positive. It would be hard tho to see everything in a positive light. Always be guided by the idea that you need to grow and have a positive influence on people. Intuition works for situations, but not for long term planning. Just my two cents =)

[sfllaw]

Yes, but only by themselves. You can't tell anyone how it works, they might believe you but they just won't grok it.

[dagbrown]

mercyspeaks put it way better than I could-you'd think she'd read this post:

Positivity is a scourge. It should be obliterated. It's denial with a prettier name. Sometimes things suck and it should be acknowledged. Whitewashing something doesn't make it less dirty. It just hides the dirt.

If something is good, say that it is.

If something is bad, don't deny that it is.

From here.

Of course it's learnable...

[urbansimon]

A positive attitude is the direct result of clearly learnable techniques like self-awareness, detachment, self-acceptance, coping techniques, and learnable life-skills. For sure it is learnable.

Of course, some people (you know who you are!) are blessed with being an inspiring embodiment of universal loving energy, and this is unmistakable. Each person has their own timbre to their charisma, which evolves over time as you grow and develop.