Optimism is the ability to stay confident and positive in the face of uncertainty; the belief that we can find a place to stand in the face of whatever happens. This is a skill that can be developed, that allows us to appreciate what is going well and stay open to possibility. Awareness – the ability to be in touch with yourself and others in the present moment, in all its complexity – creates the ground for optimism. We need to know what is before we can deal with what might be. We will challenge the belief that knowing what we are having trouble with is more important than what we are doing well. It turns out that a positive, optimistic perspective is a better predictor of success and satisfaction than qualities of personality or intelligence.
Through small group and individual exercises, presentations and discussion, we will explore our assumptions and practice the skills of optimism and awareness. Identifying our strengths and what we know we can do builds our confidence that we will be adequate to what may come – that we will be okay, even if what we hope for does not always happen.