Traumatic Incident Reduction Association

TIRA eNotes – June 2019 (No. 16)

The Value of Optimism (and When it Doesn’t Work)


Yes, many are the claims that optimistic people – those who hope for and expect the best of life – live longer, healthier, and happier lives.

So what!?  If you are down and depressed enough, such statements can be like salt in a wound.  In fact, just seeing happy people can further irritate or upset you.  We can observe our own state of mind by observing our reaction to other people.  Does a laughing child delight you, or annoy you?  Does seeing hand-holding couples in a part make you smile, or cause you pain or discomfort?

What is to be done if we are not able to be optimistic and joyful?

Optimism seems to come naturally to some people.  Others have to work at it, but may be able to train themselves to look on the bright side more often than not.  Someone who experiences life are burdensome, frustrating and painful may not be able to get there, even if they were willing to try.

Let us consider an important element of life, something that should help to make life worth living.  Each relationship is capable of causing joy or pain.  How about friends?  If we have some close friends to laugh and play with, to share ideas and insights with, they can enrich our lives.  In those moments we feel the pleasure of enriching the lives of our friends as well.  The same goes for our most intimate relationships, those with our mate and close family.

If you are down and depressed enough, you might not feel that you can have close friends or intimates.  Or, if you have them, something crucial is lacking in the connection, leaving you feeling isolated.  Pessimism, when it is a pervasive experience rather than a passing mood, taints everything.  What is to be done?

Though Applied Metapsychology (AMP) is not for everyone, the vast majority of people can make effective use of its methods.  During Life Stress Reduction – a personalized case plan that addresses all the life issues you wish to – we systematically reduce emotional charge from relationships, upsets, painful events, confusions, and misunderstandings.  Doing so naturally leads to a more and more happy and optimistic frame of mind.

Practitioners of AMP tend to be optimistic.  Not only do they have the means to lighten their own loads through doing sessions with each other and move toward joy; they also have the ability to assist other people to do this rewarding work.

To find further information, see TIRA home page and Life Stress Reduction info page