Optimism is our Responsibility

Optimism is a mechanism, as is fear. The difference in the two is the prerequisite that optimism holds; hope. Fear will protect one from loss and pain but has little power to inspire and evolve. Hope overrides fear and has lead our species from the caves to the stars. We all have a responsibility to use optimism when looking into our collective futures. Recently scientists have identified a part in the brain that processes optimism. This network of cells is located right behind your eyes. The Orbitofrontal cortex will literally shrink if you are unfortunate enough to be caught in a disastrous situation or a victim of PTSD. What does this mean? What can we do with this new understanding of the brain? To me, there is no optimist or pessimist. There is only a human that uses a part of their brain or not. Much like a person with the ability to walk but choosing not to. We all must exercise and activate this part of the brain. But how do we do this with our current ““If it bleeds it leads”” perpetual news cycle?

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