Is Optimism Undermining America? -From Psychology Today

Optimism has never had a good name, at least among the intellectually elite. We actually know when the word “optimism” entered common parlance — with the publication of Voltaire’s (1759) Candide and the embodiment of foolish optimism in the annoying character Dr. Pangloss.

Empirical research over the past few decades showing that optimism has many benefits—for achievement, social relationships, and health—is therefore interesting and important (Peterson, 2000). Studies of optimism helped usher in the field of positive psychology by demonstrating the importance of “positive” constructs above-and-beyond the absence of “negative” constructs.

Read the rest of the article at: http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-good-life/200912/is-optimism-undermining-america

Optimism

With all the news lately, a little perspective is important.

1. The Dow Jones Industrial Average is still higher than the same date in 1998. Just 11 years ago.

2. Over 92% of Americans are working.

3. Over 90% of home loans are paid on time. That percentage is higher when considering only owner occupied homes and excluding rentals and investment properties.

4. The gross domestic product of California, Michigan, Texas and New York are higher than most nations their size and bigger.

5. For as tough as things might seem, immigrants from all over the world flood our borders.