Here’s the text for this short video story about optimism vs pessimism, as well as 5 benefits of optimism. Watch the video above.

Where’s the Pony?

There were once two identical twins.

They were alike in every way but one.

One was a hope-filled optimist, who only ever saw the bright side of life.

The other was a dark pessimist, who only ever saw the down side in every situation.

The parents were so worried about the extremes of optimism and pessimism in their boys, they took them to the doctor.

He suggested a plan.

On their next birthday give the pessimist a shiny new bike.

Give the optimist only a pile of manure.

It seemed a fairly extreme thing to do.

After all the parents had always treated heir boys equally.

In this instance they decided to try the doctor’s advice.

So when the twins birthday came round, they gave the pessimist the most expensive, top of the range, racing bike a child has ever owned.

When he saw the bike his first words were…

I’ll probably crash and break my leg.

To the optimist they gave a carefully wrapped box of manure.

He opened it, looked puzzled for a moment, then ran outside screaming.

You can’t fool me!

Where there’s this much manure, there’s just gotta be a pony around here somewhere!

Now, here are also those promised 5 benefits of optimism…

1. It promotes superior health

People with positive thoughts usually have lower anxiety.

Dwelling on negativity is detrimental to your health and wellbeing; it breeds disaster.

Optimism will help keep your blood pressure down, provide significantly better blood sugar and cholesterol levels, afford healthier body mass indexes and make you generally happier and less stressed.

2. It aids greater achievement and better performance

Optimistic people are usually self confident, focused, highly motivated, productive, resilient in the face of adversity, and have high self-esteem.

All these attributes enable them to take on greater challenges and achieve greater things in life.

Teams perform better and create more positive synergy when each member is as optimistic as the next.

Pessimists, on the other hand, are typically constrained by their negative beliefs which makes them shy away from being innovative or trying adventurous things.

3. It spreads good vibes and makes your life less painful

Optimism is contagious. By always maintaining an upbeat attitude, others around you will be inspired to emulate you.

Also, those who think positive thoughts day in and day out usually have a higher pain tolerance than those who tend to be pessimistic.

Pessimistic individuals are less likely to keep their emotions in check when they experience pain, perhaps due to their expectation of pain in life.

4. It helps you stay youthful

Research has also shown that optimism increases longevity, promotes healthy living, and increases your mental flexibility.

Working on your mindset is the key to maintaining a youthful look.

According to the results of a study conducted at the University College London, there is a direct link between positive thoughts and healthy aging.

5. It helps you have more luck in love and relationships

Psychologists have always acknowledged the importance of being optimistic. They point out that positive thinkers are more likely to fare better in love and relationships.

Even though they may face the same challenges in relationships as pessimists do, optimists tend to work harder and more effectively at love and relationships because they concentrate on the good rather than the bad.

Next time, when you feel a bit flat and like there is no way out of an unfavorable situation, ask yourself, “What would an optimist say?”

Imagine how that optimist would handle the situation you’re facing and take an action that you believe they might take if they found themselves in your situation.

PLUS check out these free gifts from friends…CHECK out the following great resources as well…Forward Steps Personal Development » Optimism VS Pessimism Story

Hi, I'm Thea Westra at Forward Steps (forwardstepsblog.com)

Since March 2003, I've been sharing practical, positive, thought provoking and inspiring self improvement content online. My aim is simple - to offer tips and resources that help us enhance our daily experience of life and to keep stepping forward. Perth, Western Australia is the place I call home and I'm the author of "Time For My Life: 365 Stepping Stones". You might also know me from the Forward Steps personal development blog and the daily series of "365 Forward Steps Notes", all designed to add wings to our unique life journeys.

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