Is being Positive the Same as Being Happy?

You will notice that I write a lot about both happiness and taking a positive attitude or learning to be optimistic. At times it seems that some people consider the two to be the same.; being positive is the same as being happy.  People who take a positive view of the world; the optimists see adversity and difficulties as a challenge that they can overcome and that is short lived.  The do not blame themselves, they just see these events as temporary setbacks.  Pessimists on the other hand tend to take the view that it is their own fault, the event will set them back for a long time and will undermine everything that they do.  Being positive or optimistic is a way of thinking.

Happiness on the other hand is an emotion.

Martin Seligman, well recognised author on both topics clears this up in his blog. It is a short and worthy read.  Seligman, in his book, Learned Optimism, also offers a specific program on how to break the habit of pessimism and move both yourself and your children to optimism.

Why bother?  It is good for your health and success as Seligman’s blog shows.