musings


Researchers tell us that people with a sunny outlook on life may be unconsciously beating heart disease. A study of nearly 600 people with a family history of heart disease found that those with an optimistic temperament were half as likely to develop heart disease as their grumpier counterparts.

The study suggests that its possible that people with positive attitudes produce lower levels of stress hormones, which help protect them from disease.

So Dr. Robert Schuller ws right after all! The power of positive thinking works like medicine. We've always known that optimistic people are pleasant to be around. They spread their "cheer germs" everywhere, which are always good for the soul. They have a way of making you feel good about life in general.

But now the benefits of looking on the bright side extend well beyond the psychological to the physical. Logically, I would thinki it appropriate to conclude that folks with a sunny disposition stand a greater chance of achieving wholeness than those who are always looking on the dark side.

I read about a schoolboy who brought home his report card. It was heavy with poor grades. "What have you to say about this?" asked his father. "One thing is for sure," the boy replied. "Dad, you can be proud. You know I haven't been cheating!" Now there's a lad who is well on his way to wholeness.

An optimist believes we live in the best of all possible worlds. A pessimist fears this is true. How do you classify yourself? Are you pleasant to be around? Do others beneifit from your presence or do they recoil at the sight of you? I think its wise to periodically do a little self examination in this area and even make a course change if necessary. In fact, I'm POSITIVE about it.