The Defensive Pessimist

Hey Kori:

I always find interviews with Kai Greene very interesting and even admirable... if anybody doesn't know what I'm talking about, Kai Greene and Oscar Arden are very much into the power of thought.  I at times even strive to be like that.  But in my more reasonable mindsets realize what is to be gained from being somewhat different.  I never learn so much about myself as when I'm miserable and when I am able to be positive again I come to that with a new found knowledge that makes me that much more potent.  

I feel that we may have less control of our positive and negative emotions than we may wish, but that a REALISTIC mindset (neither positive nor negative) allows us to extract from all situations value to propel us forward.  I'm not saying that "realistic" is a medium between pos and neg, it may very well be that we discover that in reality, we are in fact incorruptible, unbeatable, and unyielding--but to falsely and immaturely arrive at these conclusions is only the foundation for propagating failure.

Stephanie,

Our thoughts are one thing that no one else can control but us. We make the decisions about what will run across the marquee of our brains. Positive thoughts are not going to lead to positive emotions and subsequent behaviors like negative ones will. I think we can look at negative on a continuum though, and obviously those thoughts that are shaming, blaming, etc will bring us down more so than "devil's advocate", anticipation of barriers, identifying what has gone wrong in the past in order to plan and prepare type negative thinking. When we struggle though, and when we are forced to look long and hard at what we might not be so good at, at our weaknesses and inequities we DO learn so much about ourselves. What you said was very insightful! I like your word, "potent."

A realistic mindset conveys objectivity. And that is what keeps us from sinking into negative emotions and behavior. Being able to identify the facts takes emotion out of it, which ultimately often gets in the way of individuals being able to make decisions and move forward and take more meaningful action. When you say "neither negative nor positive", that's neutral...exactly what OBJECTIVE is. Only the stuff that has evidence behind it. :) Often what we think has no factual basis behind it, and we have to extract the distortion and identify the reality. 

Awareness is key!