The Grand Optimist

Are you the grand optimist or the world’s poor pessimist? How much does expectancy theory result in where you end up in life? I feel that neurological chemicals and genes are easy excuses for being consistently miserable. No matter how twisted your DNA is, you ultimately choose whether or not you will be happy, so don’t be sad or just be happy if the thought of splitting infinitives depresses you.

The book titled The Definitive Book of Body Language by Barbara and Allen Pease discussed a study of facial expressions. The purpose of the study was to assemble a database of every conceivable human facial expression and the corresponding meaning. Our common sense would assume that our facial expressions are the result of what we are feeling inside. Instead, the study accidentally stumbled upon an inverse relationship between body language and emotions. On the day that melancholy expressions were the subject of study, participants felt depressed. This means that by purposely exercising your body language you can train yourself to be more confident, open and happy. If you feel sad, choose to walk with your shoulders back, head up, and smile. It’s not as easy as popping a pill but it’s effects are enduring.

I’m willing to bet you can spot miserable people before you shake hands. Over time when the guise of youth has been shed, a permanent frown becomes your neutral expression.

Laughter is always the best medicine and if you somehow revel in self-loathing you will attract similarly negative ninnies to your cause. So smile dammit! It’s the only look that has been in fashion since evolution first allowed it.