Comments on: The Audacity of Hope and Dealing with a Chronic Illness http://positivepsychologycoachingblog.com/2008/01/30/the-audacity-of-hope-and-dealing-with-a-chronic-illness/ Applying Positive Psychology to Therapy, Coaching, Education, and Health Tue, 29 Jul 2008 22:24:29 +0000 hourly 1 By: Elayne Hunter http://positivepsychologycoachingblog.com/2008/01/30/the-audacity-of-hope-and-dealing-with-a-chronic-illness/comment-page-1/#comment-362 Elayne Hunter Sun, 03 Feb 2008 08:43:15 +0000 http://positivepsychologycoachingblog.com/2008/01/30/the-audacity-of-hope-and-dealing-with-a-chronic-illness/#comment-362 Thanks Bonni, I like that concept of "realistic optimism". It is tricky to maintain the energy of optimism that heals and motivates while working with reality especially with a serious chronic illness or a country that is suffering in so many ways. Having a vision and determination helps. However, reality can be an enemy if it is not apart of the process. Being present with a grateful and hopeful attitude can be an antedote to fear. In threatening and uncertain times we are so vulnerable to having our hopes deflated by absorbing negative information. History and research can be helpful in telling us what has come before and what to be careful about but it is a challenge to prevent it from distracting our optimism with fears. Each individual with an illness just as each moment in the history of a country is unique and requires optimism in working with the difficult realities to achieve a positive outcome. Guarding our attitudes from cynicism and negativity can be important but challenging. Elayne Thanks Bonni,
I like that concept of “realistic optimism”. It is tricky to maintain the energy of optimism that heals and motivates while working with reality especially with a serious chronic illness or a country that is suffering in so many ways. Having a vision and determination helps. However, reality can be an enemy if it is not apart of the process.
Being present with a grateful and hopeful attitude can be an antedote to fear. In threatening and uncertain times we are so vulnerable to having our hopes deflated by absorbing negative information. History and research can be helpful in telling us what has come before and what to be careful about but it is a challenge to prevent it from distracting our optimism with fears. Each individual with an illness just as each moment in the history of a country is unique and requires optimism in working with the difficult realities to achieve a positive outcome. Guarding our attitudes from cynicism and negativity can be important but challenging.

Elayne

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