Optimism Unleashed: JB's Monday Momentum #20
Embracing Hope and Positivity for Personal and Collective Growth
Estimated reading time: seven minutes
Welcome to Monday Momentum, the weekly newsletter where I discuss practical wisdom, uncovering insights to enhance our lives one thoughtful moment at a time. While I have confidence in the ideas I write about, I am still learning them. I acknowledge that what works for me may not work for everyone. Take each idea as you see fit and let me know what you think!
Hello friends,
I’ve dealt with a handful of challenges in my short life. Each time something has come up, I’ve remained optimistic. Thinking this way has served me well and I don’t think that’s a coincidence. Seeing the good, looking for good, and trusting that good will come is the way we should all be living.
If you missed the last edition—“Be Proud of Yourself”—you can click here to check it out.
A Question I am Contemplating:
What role does optimism play in achieving personal growth and fulfillment?
Living a life filled with optimism and hope is more enjoyable than constantly expecting the worst. What fun is it to go through life without any sense of hope? Seriously, whenever I meet someone who says they are a pessimist, I can’t help but scratch my head and ask “why?”1 In his book Make Your Bed, retired Navy SEAL, Admiral William H. McRaven, discusses the importance of hope in the face of tragedy and hardship. He says, "Hope is the most powerful force in the universe. With hope you can inspire nations to greatness. With hope you can raise up the downtrodden. With hope you can ease the pain of unbearable loss."
Hope and optimism allow us to rise above the pain and difficulties we face in life and continue pushing through to better times. When we have hope, we can find the strength to overcome challenges and maintain a positive outlook, even in the darkest of circumstances. Embracing hope and optimism makes our lives more fulfilling and meaningful, as we focus on the possibilities of the future rather than dwelling on the negatives of the present.
Optimism can be viewed on both a macro and micro level. On the macro level, it refers to being optimistic about the overall improvement and progress of the world, such as advancements in medicine, technology, and society. On the micro level, it means having an optimistic outlook on your personal life and circumstances.
These two levels of optimism are interconnected. Being optimistic about positive changes in the world can inspire you to be more optimistic about your own life. Conversely, maintaining a positive mindset in your personal life should make you more optimistic about the state of the broader community and environment. Embracing optimism on both levels creates a reinforcing cycle that improves your overall outlook.
We are not powerless or trapped in our circumstances. We can learn, adapt, and continually improve ourselves and our lives. Knowing that we have the power to respond to any challenge in our own way should fill us with optimism. Instead of succumbing to pessimism, embrace the fact that we always have the freedom to make decisions and take actions that can positively shape our lives.
Author, Ryan Holiday, provides a great example2 of using optimism. He says, "I'm writing this article and I hope it is received well. But it could easily bomb or get a terrible response. At first, I might see this as a minor yet undesirable obstacle." However, with an optimistic mindset, we can view setbacks differently. Rather than just seeing the obstacle, we can see it as "a chance for me to remind myself of humility, or learn from the feedback and improve my writing, or even just accept that I can't please everyone all the time." Optimism helps us see the silver lining in difficult situations, rather than just the negatives.
Living with optimism does not mean being blind to our problems. On the contrary, it encourages us to embrace our challenges. If we believe we are smart enough, courageous enough, and disciplined enough to fix problems, then nothing should worry us.
Optimism doesn't just create a more positive life for ourselves; it has a ripple effect on our communities. When we choose to approach life with an optimistic mindset, we contribute to cultivating an environment of hope and possibility.
While the challenges we face as individuals and as a society may seem daunting, optimism gives us the strength to persevere. By staying committed to this mindset, we unlock our potential to improve our circumstances and elevate the lives of others. The choice to live with optimism is both a personal gift and a collective responsibility — one that can transform our world for the better.
Quote on optimism:
“There is good in everything, if only we look for it.” — Laura Ingalls Wilder3
Goal for the Week:
Enjoy my last week living in Europe
The last three years of my life have been more fulfilling than I could have imagined. I move next week so this chapter of my life is now coming to a bittersweet end. This week, I want to focus on being present and appreciating how lucky I've been, while soaking it all up.
What I’m Reading:
The Trial — Franz Kafka (10% done)
What I finished Reading:
A Gentleman in Moscow — Amor Towles
A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles is a work of historical fiction set in 1922 when the Bolsheviks had just taken power in the newly formed Soviet Union. The story of Count Rostov's confinement in a Moscow hotel is beautifully written, with rich character development and an elegant, compelling narrative.
Towles explores themes of adapting to changing circumstances, finding purpose and meaning in life, and the power of community. Despite the limitations of Rostov's situation, the novel celebrates his grace, wit, and unwavering determination to make the most of his situation.
While the pacing starts a little slow, the novel quickly builds emotional depth4 and momentum, closing in a satisfying end. Fans of character-driven fiction and explorations of the human experience will find much to love in this novel. I give A Gentleman in Moscow an 8.6/10.
Favorite quote: “After all, what can a first impression tell us about someone we’ve just met for a minute in the lobby of a hotel? For that matter, what can a first impression tell us about anyone? Why, no more than a chord can tell us about Beethoven, or a brushstroke about Botticelli. By their very nature, human beings are so capricious, so complex, so delightfully contradictory, that they deserve not only our consideration, but our reconsideration—and our unwavering determination to withhold our opinion until we have engaged with them in every possible setting at every possible hour.”
Can’t Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds — David Goggins
Can't Hurt Me by David Goggins is a mind-blowing, brutally honest memoir that serves as a masterclass in mental toughness and self-improvement. Goggins' story is nothing short of extraordinary, as he shares his journey from a traumatic childhood to becoming a Navy SEAL and ultra-endurance athlete. At the heart of the book are the powerful themes of overcoming adversity, pushing past self-imposed limits, and cultivating an unbreakable mindset. The book is packed with tough-love advice that challenges the reader to confront their fears, embrace discomfort, and relentlessly pursue their goals, no matter how daunting they may seem. While the book's intensity and Goggins' unapologetic approach may not resonate with everyone, those who are willing to embrace the "can't hurt me" mentality will find themselves motivated and inspired. The book is also extremely entertaining. Goggins’ stories of SEAL training and ultra-marathons will leave you in shock and awe. I give Can’t Hurt Me an 8.1/10.
Favorite quote: “What am I capable of? I couldn’t answer that question, but as I looked around the finish line that day and considered what I’d accomplished, it became clear that we are all leaving a lot of money on the table without realizing it. We habitually settle for less than our best; at work, in school, in our relationships, and on the playing field or race course.”
Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life... and Maybe the World — Admiral William H. McRaven
Make Your Bed by Admiral William H. McRaven is a concise and powerful book that distills valuable life lessons from Navy SEAL training into practical advice. Through simple actions like making your bed every morning, Admiral McRaven illustrates how discipline and consistency can lead to personal success … and maybe change the world. McRaven states that life presents challenges, yet tackling them with discipline, determination, a positive outlook, and support from others will pave the way to a fulfilling life. The book's straightforward approach, inspirational anecdotes, and conversation-like style make it a quick (only took me a couple of hours to finish), yet impactful read.5
Favorite quote: “Life is a struggle and the potential for failure is ever present, but those who live in fear of failure, or hardship, or embarrassment will never achieve their potential. Without pushing your limits, without occasionally sliding down the rope headfirst, without daring greatly, you will never know what is truly possible in your life.”6
What I’m listening to (one podcast, one artist, one song):
Zach Bryan
“Laid” — James
Thanks for reading! Don't forget to subscribe to stay updated for the next edition and feel free to leave a comment. I'd love to hear your thoughts.
Take care,
James
And often, they seem proud of it which I find even more weird. Why are you proud that you think bad will come?
Taken from an article about how stoicism is an optimistic philosophy. It’s filled with historical examples of how an optimistic mindset has helped push some of history’s greatest minds through challenges. The article is linked here.
Personally, I found myself attached to the novel once Nina was introduced. This happens not too far in, but it might still be a bit slow for some. Just trust me and keep reading because once you reach a certain point, you won't be able to put it down.
Unintentionally, I read this right after finishing Can't Hurt Me. It was neat because I could see the similarities and differences between both SEAL training stories. I noticed how two of the most famous SEALs of all time responded to the same challenges during training quite similarly … who would’ve thought??
Goggins would agree.