Rose- or Blue-Tinted Glasses: How to Stay Optimistic in 2012

Emily had just finished checking her appointments for the next day – it had been a very busy working day at the end of the year. She looked through the window and saw hundreds of starry snowflakes ... Unfortunately, their beauty couldn’t improve Emily’s bad mood after a meeting with John - yeah, she hadn’t been promoted this year. Disappointment had led her to bitter resentment – she was not valued, she thought - although she knew that her employers were not obliged to promote her every year. Emily grabbed her coat and left the office. It was 18h30 – high time to hurry up to the office Christmas party. Emily could hardly feel how cold it was because she was moving quickly on towards the restaurant where her colleagues would be waiting for her. She plunged into a cheerful Christmas atmosphere: crowds of people, illuminated streets, twinkling candle lights, sweet gingerbread, and hot mulled wine – all this began lifting Emily’s somber mood. Suddenly she saw a girl who was playing violin standing in the cold narrow street. “Poor girl,” she thought looking at the girl’s red hands. Without realizing it, she stopped in her tracks and began thinking about her expectations, plans, and sad reality of life - she didn’t have enough money for Christmas gifts and had to cancel her winter holidays. A mixture of disappointment and frustration started decreasing her confidence in the coming year. “Why is life so hard?” Emily was thinking looking at the girl. “Hi, Emily,” Mike exclaimed approaching Emily “the girl is playing fantastic music! Let’s go otherwise they’ll start the party without us. My stomach is saying it’s time for dinner.” Emily’s face clouded for a moment as if she was going to start crying. “Are you OK?” Mike’s voice was soft and welcoming. “Splendid,” Emily started but added nothing. “Do you know that no one has received a promotion this year? Nevertheless, my day has been great. I try to keep high aspirations and moderate expectations.” His face reflected emotional well-being. How happy he should be, Emily thought. “Mike, please don’t think I am interrogating you about every aspect of your life. What makes you happy?” Emily said smiling sadly. Mike gave her an encouraging look: “Well, I have found a job this year -THE job I am passionate about. Do you know how many people are still looking for a job now?” Emily nodded asking Mike whether he had any worries and doubts about the future. Her colleague’s positive mood fascinated her. Mike told her how he had been overwhelmed by enormous fear and pessimism before he had found the job. “I am really happy now but will try to remain a bit pessimistic next year. Hmm… maybe not to lose a sense of reality – this helps me a lot.” He felt almost like a wise owl - Emily was young and had little life experience. Emily was listening to him trying to understand how pessimism could be used as a motivator. This thought was completely new to her. Some ten minutes later Mike and Emily joined their colleagues who had been patiently waiting for them. The office Christmas party began, as usually, - champagne, yummy snacks, jokes, big smiles, nice words, some office rumors… Emily enjoyed the joyful atmosphere reminding herself over and over: “Everything will go fine. Maybe I should learn how to deal with uncertainty to make ends meet …” These thoughts made her feel stronger … “Are you more positive now?” Mike asked Emily at the end of the party. “Well …” she replied and sighed “how to use pessimism effectively and stay optimistic?”