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Optimism is a tendency to expect the best possible outcome or dwell on the most hopeful aspects of a situation.

Antonyms: doubt, gloom, hopelessness, pessimism.
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How are you maintaining an optimistic attitude in a recessive economy? Some wallow in the deep dark doom and gloom prophesies emanating from government, politicians, media and other sources.

Some gather in groups to complain.
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Therapists advise that a way to relieve depression is to take actions. What actions may you take that will turn you towards hope, growth and abundance? Most readers of this newsletter are creators.

Is there a way to use the power of creation to manifest your dreams?
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Is photography or filmmaking a calling? If the assignment business continues a downward turn, would you continue to make images? Many of you are happiest when you are creating.

Will you make pictures no matter what?
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When you are making pictures, do you feel happy and hopeful or do you feel angry, sad, fear or shame?

When I am creating, causing something I love or something that matters to come into being, I am a lot easier to be around. My coaching work gets better. I feel balance. And I am optimistic.

I adapted the following list, years ago, to define my own circumstances. I have discovered most are universal.
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The feelings and characteristics on the left appear when I am creating. Those on the right appear when I am not creating.

You may want to add some of your own particular traits. Do not limit your list to observations which occur only when you are creating art or artifacts. Creating is a life activity; a way of life. Creating may be present in your relationships, sales, marketing, and practically everything else you do.�

When I am creating...

When I am not creating...

�I feel purposeful

�I often feel lost

�I am deeply involved

�I feel separate and uninvolved

�my focus is outward

�my focus is inward

�I am functional

�I am often dysfunctional

�I am focused and living in the moment

�I lose focus

�I feel relevant

�I feel irrelevant

�there is a sense of timelessness

�I feel pressured by time

�I have a sense of vital energy

�I feel tired and depleted

�there is a feeling of freedom

�I feel oppressed by circumstances

�I have a sense of myself

�I have an unclear sense of myself

�I feel independent

�I am co-dependent

�life seems important

�life seems arbitrary

Want to be more optimistic? Create some photographs that represent optimism your way.
Post them to me and I will post them on the Heartstorming Blog.

You can also give me a call 610-438-5707

Copywrite 2009. Not to be reprinted without permission.
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