I have written before about the downside of excessive positive thinking.

I found a book that introduces a variety of people who realise that trying so hard to be happy and positive  is a problem not a goal.

A so called not positive way to happiness involves accepting mistakes, pessimism, being uncertain and insecure, which are the things we spend our lives trying to avoid or escape.

In the book the ‘Antidote’ by Oliver Burkeman, there is a chapter called ‘The Museum of Failure’ and while the author talks about a place, I am thinking instead of being ashamed of my mistakes throughout my life - I could embrace them and learn from them.

I don’t like the word failure as I think it is very powerful but I know I have made many poor choices, messed up relationships, miss out on opportunities and hurt people I have loved.

I think by not acknowledging what has happened and pretending everything is positive and saying I will not make the mistakes again, is not my reality,

Some feel they  can learn from mistakes, by allowing to feel emotions, thinking about what one can learn from the situation, be responsible for one’s actions and look at any factors one can control.

I have shared the thoughts from the book as I would like Moodscopers to share their thoughts on the effectiveness of positive thinking and the idea that pursuing happiness at all costs can be a problem and not the answer.

Leah 

A Moodscoper member