By Kim Jeong-kyoo
To lead a decent life, we need a positive frame of mind. True happiness and joy do not reside in power or money, but derive from a positive mindset. It is my firm conviction that an optimistic, positive attitude is the source of or starting point for satisfaction and happiness. Indeed, positivity creates happiness; negativity invites sadness.
I know a pessimistic acquaintance who has a tendency to evoke only bad memories, leaving himself feeling discontented or dissatisfied. His recalling unpleasant memories makes me feel blue, too. There is no earthly reason why I should feel sad or depressed to hear him, though. Maybe it is because one cannot be happy living with others who are miserable or wretched.
Once, recalling his residence in Paris, he started out by referring to the dull, unpleasant weather, insuperable language barrier, etc. It was quite beyond my understanding as I thought that the average person would have been elated, talking about Notre-Dame Cathedral, Pont Mirabeau over the Seine, Montmartre, etc. I felt it execrable that his disposition to bring back only bad memories would continue to be of no help to him. Negativity and pessimism cannot make for a good life. I feel that everything in life depends on our mindset. Our attitude towards the world is what decides if we feel happy or sad.
Life is not always promising or rosy. We face various trials in life. Everyone goes through the vicissitudes of life. But with a positive attitude and a strong will, we can overcome almost anything. A positive mindset spurs us to look on the brighter side of our life, allowing us to lead a decent, happy life. Happiness is not what we should strive for but what we can obtain through a positive attitude to life.
Indeed, our mental attitude toward others and ourselves as well decides how we think, feel and behave in any given circumstances. Our mindset plays an important role in how we cope with adversities and challenges in life. Negative attitude will make life a struggle for survival, while positive attitude makes life a pleasant journey brimming with hope and ambition.
A positive mindset encourages us to think that even trials or failures can do us good. Every misfortune will spur patience and persistence if we welcome and prepare to accept it. After all, living is about going through trials and tribulations every day.
I am a passionate believer in the power of positivity. Having a positive attitude makes life so much better. Usually, people who have a positive mentality are considerate of other people. They are mindful of the consequences of their selfishness. They are patient. And they are aware that everyone has family, work to do and issues to deal with.
In other words, people brimming with positivity will not be self-centered or egotistic. They will willingly love and look after the underprivileged or disabled members of society, giving without expecting something in return. They will give solely for the sheer joy of sharing.
Someday when the last minute of our life comes, we will come to bid farewell to this world. What I wish to do at the very last moment before my demise is to close my eyes in peace with a genuine smile. What else could I expect? Passing away, unagitated or unperturbed, implies that I loved and helped other people and shared my possessions with them. That also indicates that I was unselfish, true to those people and loyal to my beloved ones. Above all, that says that I lived with a positive mindset that had contributed greatly to a better life.
The author (kimjstar@hanmail.net) lives in a rural village near Seoul, studying and teaching golf.
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I know a pessimistic acquaintance who has a tendency to evoke only bad memories, leaving himself feeling discontented or dissatisfied. His recalling unpleasant memories makes me feel blue, too. There is no earthly reason why I should feel sad or depressed to hear him, though. Maybe it is because one cannot be happy living with others who are miserable or wretched.
Once, recalling his residence in Paris, he started out by referring to the dull, unpleasant weather, insuperable language barrier, etc. It was quite beyond my understanding as I thought that the average person would have been elated, talking about Notre-Dame Cathedral, Pont Mirabeau over the Seine, Montmartre, etc. I felt it execrable that his disposition to bring back only bad memories would continue to be of no help to him. Negativity and pessimism cannot make for a good life. I feel that everything in life depends on our mindset. Our attitude towards the world is what decides if we feel happy or sad.
Life is not always promising or rosy. We face various trials in life. Everyone goes through the vicissitudes of life. But with a positive attitude and a strong will, we can overcome almost anything. A positive mindset spurs us to look on the brighter side of our life, allowing us to lead a decent, happy life. Happiness is not what we should strive for but what we can obtain through a positive attitude to life.
Indeed, our mental attitude toward others and ourselves as well decides how we think, feel and behave in any given circumstances. Our mindset plays an important role in how we cope with adversities and challenges in life. Negative attitude will make life a struggle for survival, while positive attitude makes life a pleasant journey brimming with hope and ambition.
A positive mindset encourages us to think that even trials or failures can do us good. Every misfortune will spur patience and persistence if we welcome and prepare to accept it. After all, living is about going through trials and tribulations every day.
I am a passionate believer in the power of positivity. Having a positive attitude makes life so much better. Usually, people who have a positive mentality are considerate of other people. They are mindful of the consequences of their selfishness. They are patient. And they are aware that everyone has family, work to do and issues to deal with.
In other words, people brimming with positivity will not be self-centered or egotistic. They will willingly love and look after the underprivileged or disabled members of society, giving without expecting something in return. They will give solely for the sheer joy of sharing.
Someday when the last minute of our life comes, we will come to bid farewell to this world. What I wish to do at the very last moment before my demise is to close my eyes in peace with a genuine smile. What else could I expect? Passing away, unagitated or unperturbed, implies that I loved and helped other people and shared my possessions with them. That also indicates that I was unselfish, true to those people and loyal to my beloved ones. Above all, that says that I lived with a positive mindset that had contributed greatly to a better life.
The author (kimjstar@hanmail.net) lives in a rural village near Seoul, studying and teaching golf.
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