Blogging from A to Z Challenge
Theme: Movies reflect human needs...
Optimism
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| Image from my own photos. |
The average pencil is seven inches long, with just a half-inch eraser - in case you thought optimism was dead. (Robert Brault)
Optimism is about hopefulness and confidence. It's not just positive thinking. It isn't about affirmations and pep talks, and definitely not about toxic positivity.
Martin Seligman has studied optimism (and pessimism) in depth and shares research result in his book Learned Optimism. He states:
The defining characteristic of pessimists is that they tend to believe bad events will last a long time, will undermine everything they do ... The optimists, who are confronted with the same hard knocks of this world, think about misfortune in the opposite way. They tend to believe defeat is just a temporary setback...
Without optimism, achieving goals and dreams can be difficult. Stumbling blocks become road blocks with seemingly no way around them. Optimism helps us keep going, looking for the window that might have opened because the door closed.
So... no surprise that the movies listed for Dreams, also fit for optimism.
Optimism is also evident in these films...
Front of the Class (2008)
Hairspray (2007)
Legally Blonde (2001)
Life is Beautiful (1997)
Little Boy (2015)
("My Take" review for the film found here.)
What movie(s) would you add for the topic of optimism?
(Note: The movies listed might not be completely family-friendly. See my "Movie Content" information on the blog's sidebar.)
What a beautiful theme you have here, I needed to read the pencil quote today, thanks https://poojapriyamvada.blogspot.com/2021/04/onism-newnormal-a2z.html
ReplyDeleteIt's been an interesting theme to work with. I'm glad you like it. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteI love that quote about the pencil as it's so true. You've got one of my favourites in your list today, Legally Blonde - I regularly rewatch it as it always makes me feel good.
ReplyDeleteI would add Finding Nemo and Finding Dory to the list, as they are both definitely about optimism.
I'm glad you mentioned Finding Nemo and Finding Dory... especially Dory... she's quite optimistic. She's my favorite of the those charaters!
DeleteThe first film that came to mind was Forrest Gump! From your list I've only seen Hairspray and Legally Blonde, which would you most recommend from the rest?
ReplyDeleteEd - wizzardSS Reviews
Hmmm... which would I recommend from the rest... probably Front of the Class or the Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio because both of those are based on actual people.
DeleteFront of the Class, he's optimistic that someone, somewhere, will give him a chance to prove himself as a teacher despite having Tourette's.
And in Prize Winner, she puts up with a lot of "garbage" (to put it nicely)... even her children think she ought to be angry all the time... yet she remains upbeat.
Dory, is my favorite as well with her funny optimism. I would mentione Anthony Hopkins - The Edge, Stallone's - Rocky, The Shawshank Redemption, 127 hours and many more which shows optimism. BTW I love UP as well where after being lost how he finds happiness once again.
ReplyDeleteThanks for adding those films for optimism! I haven't seen The Edge. There are so many movies I still haven't seen! I better get busy.
DeleteGreat theme! Love that you've included Legally Blonde for optimism, it's one of my go to films when I need to feel confident or some inspiration.
ReplyDeleteI'd also say The Martian and Star Trek Beyond are good films about people working together and a brighter future - that's pure optimism for me.
My A-Z in April is all about characters I love. Latest post: O is for Sally Owens.
When I saw Legally Blonde the first time, I had low expectations for some reason. I was surprised how much I thoroughly enjoyed the film. I've watched it several times since, and now I want to see it again!
DeleteSome more good choices here! Loved Hairspray and Legally Blonde.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Janet! And more good choices are coming up, too! (See... I'm optimistic about that.)
DeleteOh I love the pencil quote, so true ;))
ReplyDeleteI was so happy when I found that pencil quote... especially since it gave me the idea for an image to use representing optimism!
DeleteGreat topic here! Martin Seligman was one of my favorite psychologists I studied while in graduate school. Groundbreaking work on understanding what keeps some going while others give up. And I LOVE Legally Blonde! Elle is the epitome of optimism!
ReplyDeleteHave you read most of Seligman's books? Which is your favorite? I enjoyed reading Learned Optimism and gleaned numerous insights. I'd like to read more of his work.
DeleteI think it was Learned Optimism I read. That book has stayed with me all these years. That was a l-o-n-g time ago!
DeleteTrudy,
ReplyDeleteLoved the opening quote. Legally Blonde is the only movie you mentioned that I know. I forgot about Reese Witherspoon's character optimistic qualities. It's a really funny movie.
I'm glad you enjoyed the quote!
DeleteI love Reese Witherspoon's character in Legally Blonde. I've been wanting to see the second movie again (Legally Blonde 2: Red, White, and Blonde) because I don't recall much about it and I wonder if she's still as optimistic. And... I've heard a third one is coming out in 2022.