Yes. You. Can.
The best anti-depressant
Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other thing. — Abraham Lincoln
When I was a grad student studying to be a behavioral scientist and clinical psychologist, I did my dissertation research on something called learned helplessness.
When a person (or other sentient being) is exposed to too many situations where they can not exert any control over what happens to them, they may develop a generalized attitude of helplessness that can carry over into situations where they do objectively have the opportunity to exert control. A generalized attitude of helplessness has been shown to be a risk factor for anxiety, depression, addiction and death.
The field of cognitive psychology demonstrates that how we think has a big impact on our mood and behavior. There is considerable research evidence that people can feel and do better by changing certain “negative” self-defeating ideas and beliefs. That would include the belief that
I can never have any control over anything anywhere no matter what I do
In the same way that people can learn to be helpless, they can develop learned optimism* which is a “Yes I Can!” (efficacy) mindset. When children are taught to be optimistic in school, their academic performance and overall well-being improve significantly.
*Optimism should not be understood as some naive generalized attitude that everything will always work out for the best (aka “Pollyanna-ism”). Healthy optimism is a combination of hope for a good outcome combined with intention to find a way forward with diligent planning and persistent effort.
Yes you/we can!
First decide where you would be, and then proceed to go there. — Epictetus
There is a lot of negativity in our culture these days. A lot of pessimism and fatalism and nihilism. A lot of “NO”. It’s not helpful or healthy. We need an antidote.
I am a fan of collecting wisdom from people who know how to use the just right words to say something important. I published the following essays with good guidance about the importance of active ENGAGEMENT with the world from some wise and experienced actors:
Against Negativism, Part I (with Theodore Roosevelt)
Against Negativism, Part II (with Franklin D. Roosevelt)
Against Negativism, Part III (with Abraham Lincoln)
You can read their words of encouragement to act with positive intent and a determined belief that we can accomplish good things (especially if we work together toward a common goal). You will feel better immediately, and you might even think of a worthwhile project to engage in. What would be wrong with that?!
It's easier to be a critic than a builder.
I find that negativity often masquerades as realism or even moral superiority.
People seem to think that pointing out problems without proposing solutions makes them more insightful. We must have the capacity to also address them, Baird.
Happy Wednesday, friend.
Perspective shifts reality. Great stuff brother