Yeah, it's tax day so you might find this whole topic annoying but when you settle down there is a good read at Psychology Today on optimism, joy, courage and all things dragon-slayery.

Here is an excerpt:

Optimists seem to be sprinkled with fairy dust. They suffer less and recover quicker. They're healthier and better-liked and have stronger marriages and more fun. It's enough to make the rest of us gloomy—except that psychologists believe that a lot of these qualities stem from cognitive habits that can be learned. More than any other major personality trait, optimism is a matter of practice.

The key to increasing optimism lies in understanding its true nature. It's not relentless cheer or "positive thinking." It has more to do with how you behave, says Suzanne Segerstrom, an associate professor of psychology at the University of Kentucky in Lexington. "I think an optimistic outlook can be cultivated, but it's even better to cultivate optimistic behavior—engagement and persistence toward one's goals," she says. 

While I actually DO have a considerable stash of fairy dust, I could not agree more that maintaining an optimistic outlook is actually a skill that takes practice to develop and discipline to maintain.  I happen to be one of those people who springs out of bed EVERY day in a happy mood and I never go to be stressed, angry or irritated in any way.  Ever. 

Is this because I have a blessed life and no problems?

Um. No.  I'm watching my retirement account get smaller by the day and finding myself speechless at how much life is costing just like most of you non-lotto winning types.  Things are always needing repair in our aging home for nothing less than $3K every time something needs replacing, my mother was just hospitalized last week with what looked to be a second stroke (turned out to be a transient ischemic attack), a 70 y.o. childhood neighbor was just beaten by an intruder and ended up killing him, I haven't seen my niece and nephew for over a year and my best friend is finding it harder and harder to access necessary medical care, the result of which could shorten his life further.

It's really not that great when you stop and think about it. And yet I am full of energy, optimism, joy and gratitude every day. 

Call me a freak of nature if you must but I can tell you without hesitation that this is not some odd genetic glitch that makes me immune to life's trials.  And I'm definitely not a Pollyanna type. Being calm and cheerful wasn't entirely my first nature in times of stress. But it is now.

Discipline and a strong, unwavering commitment to the practices that help you cultivate psychological resilience in the face of challenges is absolutely necessary. Even the Dalai Lama meditates. Think about why that might be.

I didn't develop these skills by myself, though. Having a trusted mentor and confidante was essential.  An accurate and compassionate mirror to help me see myself.  This is not something you will EVER get from a blog, no matter how good the writing. Nor will you get it from a book.  You will get it from honest open dialogue in which YOU show up in an active and invested way.  You can read til the cows come home and it can still be a passive exercise. You can go away with insight and feelings of validation but true change requires action.