Smile or die: The dark side of positive thinking

JaimeS

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To be clear, I'm not talking about Ricky Jarvais. I'm talking about the commenter who stated that cancer is karmic. Though Jarvais's humor is, to be plain, either sexual or cruel. While I don't turn my nose up at a dirty joke now and then, those two aspects are his entire repertoire. I'm not shocked he makes fun of disabled people; it seems right up his street.

-J
 
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To be clear, I'm not talking about Ricky Jarvais. I'm talking about the commenter who stated that cancer is karmic. Though Jarvais's humor is, to be plain, either sexual or cruel. While I don't turn my nose up at a dirty joke now and then, those two aspects are his entire repertoire. I'm not shocked he makes fun of disabled people; it seems right up his street.

-J
Yes, he's got a long and nasty charge sheet with this stuff. If karma was real he'd have been sat unattended in a care home for the last decade somewhere.
 
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There is a difference between positive thinking and pure delusion. You can be hopeful and try to work hard in a bad situation and hope that things get better. Positive thinking help people get through bad situations and look forward to tomorrow.

However, if you are being delusional about stuff and pretend the problems just don't exist, that is when things start being a problem.

My way of positive thinking is, "Things are bad right now, I can work hard and make things better."
 

cmt12

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There is a difference between positive thinking and pure delusion. You can be hopeful and try to work hard in a bad situation and hope that things get better. Positive thinking help people get through bad situations and look forward to tomorrow.

However, if you are being delusional about stuff and pretend the problems just don't exist, that is when things start being a problem.

My way of positive thinking is, "Things are bad right now, I can work hard and make things better."
Being delusional about the future is often beneficial. Anyone that achieved greatness was delusional about the future. However, being delusional about the present, about what currently exists, is always harmful. I agree with you.
 

Snowdrop

Rebel without a biscuit
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I can work hard and make things better."
Good on you if you are successful at always turning things around.

Experience says not everything in life can be turned into a positive.
Sometimes there is just acceptance (or not) and a living the best one can in the circumstances. Which isn't positive--it's realism, strength and courage.