The Pollyanna Attitude

 When you look for the bad in mankind expecting to find it,
you surely will.  ~ Abraham Lincoln

Remember Pollyanna? Pollyanna's father gave her a brooch inscribed with Lincoln's quote. It became her life philosophy, but she framed it in a positive light, looking for something to be glad about in every situation. It started when they were very poor and relied on charity. One Christmas, Pollyanna got crutches, and she was disappointed and upset. Her father said she could be glad because it was a reminder that she did not need them! "The Glad Game" became part of her life. It sounds like a wonderful attitude to me.

My experience with Pollyanna began in the movie starring Haley Mills. I related to her, possibly because we were both 11 at the time. She was able to spread her positive outlook throughout the town and never lost hope. She had an accident and heard a doctor say she would never walk again. That's another thing we have in common. She plunged into depression, but the townspeople visited her and she realized how she had brightened their lives. The movie ended with Pollyanna being carried on her way to the hospital with her regenerated positive outlook.

Being disabled affects more than your well-being; it affects your attitude as well. You may not be able to choose whether or not to be disabled, but you can choose whether to be negative or positive. And remember, negative thinking and actions beget more negative responses and feelings. Positive thinking begets more of the same: friendliness, happiness, smiles and good feelings.

Now don't get me wrong. You are still human and subject to experiences of sadness, irritation, fear, and all those human feelings just like everyone else. Even Pollyanna fell from her Pollyanna Attitude heights when she learned she would not walk again. With the help of the townspeople, she was able to redirect her hopes and regain her positive thinking. Life is more fun that way. Regardless of circumstance, try to find the best part of it and help others do the same.

Pollyanna is often understood to be a naive optimist who just doesn't understand reality. It may be naive, but I prefer to think of it as facing reality with a smile.

A happy person is not a person in a certain set of circumstances,
but rather a person with a certain set of attitudes. ~ Hugh Downs