From the January 1996 issue of Good Housekeeping magazine, an article found tucked into the Summer 2003 issue of Tricycle magazine:"Think Positive: How to Be an Optimist" by Tamara Eberlein. She talks about what optimists believe:

• that bad events come from temporary conditions and good events from enduring causes
• that disappointments in one part of life don't need to contaminate other areas
• that troubles aren't something to always blame oneself for

Eberlein summarizes this approach in a "ten-step program":

• Challenge Your Negative Thoughts
  • Find the inaccuracies
  • Don't always blame yourself
  • Consider the consequences
  • Instead of brooding, look for a solution
• Rehearse the Role
  • Picture yourself a winner
  • Act like an optimist
• Give Yourself Credit
  • Acknowledge past successes
  • Celebrate achievements
• Set Goals
  • Choose goals wisely
  • Be specific

Wonderful, positive ideas!

(cf. OptimistCreed (1999-04-16), ...) - ^z - 2011-08-24