Optimism_and_Hope

The Importance of having optimism and hope in one’s life, Is quite simple, By having a positive outlook on life, and how things will happen, can and does strengthen someone’s willingness to attempt new things, have greater odds at succeeding at things they try, and feel better about themselves and life itself. Optimists have fewer health issues then people who have negative outlooks. (Bolt, 2004). Pessimists seem particularly more vulnerable than optimists to accidental or violent deaths, and male pessimists, especially seem to have a habit of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. (Bolt, 2004, p162) Author, Edger Allen Poe, wrote many Poems, and stories, all included a character with a pessimistic attitude, and the settings where his writings take place, all reflecting his moods. In “The Raven” the depressed nameless man feeling despair, and gloominess, “sorrow for the lost Lenore” (Poe, 1845) The use of a Raven ( a large black bird with a straight sharp beak) in the Poem expresses, the gloom, and despondency that Poe was experiencing, “Open here I flung the shutter, when, with many a flirt and flutter, In stepped a stately Raven on the saintly days of yore” (Poe, 1845) lastly, the use of assonance, and repetition, throughout the poem illustrates the gloom and despair, “Quoth the Raven, “nevermore” (Poe, 1845) Transforming someone who has pessimistic tendencies, and beliefs into someone who is an optimistic, is not as easy as it may sound, that individual has to want to change, or else it will be a pointless venture. Having a positive outlook on things, seeing yourself succeed in things you attempt (Bolt, 2004), stop thinking about what is happening to you, and what you can make happen. People need to start understanding that life involves risks, not all of them will end positively, but some actions will lead to good results, and the good generally outweighs the bad. People will never reach that point unless they put themselves out there and hope. Making affirmations like “Anything is Possible”, “I always have a choice”, and “My circumstances do not create me, I create my circumstances”, hang phrases like that on mirrors, in lockers, on your desk, and any other place you constantly look, so to get a constant reminder. 3 The man in the poem could change his beliefs, by changing his thinking, and how he views the world and everyone in it. The Raven very well could of been a symbol of how the man felt, and the phrases like “Quoth the Raven, nevermore” (Poe, 1845), If that was the case, the man could of used a different bird, or animal as a symbol. Using a Dove as the imagery could of gave him a peaceful, easy feeling, or since the man is clearly feeling sorrow, using a Cardinal as a symbol of hope, would be better than using a Raven and dwell on the sorrow and despire. Visualizing either of those birds mentioned could impact a change in how the man views things at that current time, starting with a little bit of change in imagery, could assist in making a change on a more permanent basis. The significance on physical, and psychological health, optimism is linked with a positive mood and higher morale. (Bolt, 2004, p160) if the old man displayed optimism and imagined a different bird, he would have better coping mechanisms, he would be happier, his health would be better (even though there is no mention of it in the poem) Based on the poem the whole thing had more to do with the psychological health and none to do with the physical health of the man, however, he would have a much better outlook on his life and all the situations that he may be confronted with. Exhibiting optimism in his daily life, he would have better coping strategies, be able to handle situations that would normally baffle him. He would have a better outlook on life, he would of been able to imagine more positive imagery instead of focusing and dwelling on all the negative aspects of his life. 4 Bolt, M. (2004). Pursuing human strengths: A Positive Psychology Guide. New York: Worth Publishers. Edger Allen Poe. (1845). the Raven