Friday, July 4, 2014

Optimism

The always lovely Audrey.


I admire those for whom optimism is a natural condition.  I tend towards the optimistic side myself but certainly have my moments of pessimism and negativity.

Recently I read an interview with Anthea Turner, my favourite Perfect Housewife, about the break-up of her marriage from her cad husband.  Here are my favourite bits from Anthea’s article, which inspire me with their optimism.

I love being this age (54).  I may have been wrinkle free in my 30s, but I was a different person back then.  For me, it’s about looking the best I can for the age I am.  Women are beautiful at every stage of their life.

I’m a big fan of exercise and taking care of yourself.  ‘Use it or lose it’ is what I say.  I have also learnt that most of it has to come from within.

I don’t want to live in the past and I don’t believe in holding onto things, especially toxic situations.  It’s about understanding and learning from it so you can go forward.

I earn my money by being Anthea Turner.  I am my business, so I have to look after myself.  We can all spend days in a onesie moping around, but in the end, if you put your make-up on and get on with it, you feel better.

I’ve got more years behind me than in front of me, so I just want to make the best of it.  I also believe being the best you can be for the age you are.  Keep vital, keep interested, do things that challenge you or frighten you – these are the sorts of things that will keep you young.

It’s easy to feel bitter after a painful split, but then that’s written all over your face.  I’ve seen too many women who are bitter and end up wearing it.  I prefer to stay strong and you can’t beat smile for making you look younger.  It’s an instant facelift.

I am picking up the reins of my life and just getting on with it.

This is an unusual time in my life.  I’ve come out of a long marriage and I’m in a transitional period.  But, as a friend said to me, ‘It will all come right in the end – and if it doesn’t, it’s not the end.’  It’s a lovely way of putting it.  I value life.  I am an eternal optimist and I will love again.  I know the best is yet to come.  Although it’s been the toughest two years of my life I’ve learnt so much from it all.

She seems quite a sunny kind of character and as an aside is a gun at housework motivation.  I have her two dvds of the UK series Perfect Housewife and think I’ve worn them out I’ve watched them so often.  Yes, I agree, she’s not great at choosing men, but if she did everything right she’d be perfect.

One of my friends whom I meet for lunch every so often (always with her tiny and adorable poodle) once told me about her philosophy she has had her whole life.  She said she ‘always stays serene and calm, and knows that everything will be alright’.

She mentioned it in conversation and probably didn’t mean it to be a big revelation, but I thought what a beautiful underlying attitude to have and I’m sure it has served her well.

Why not be ‘Miss Congeniality’ to your family and friends – and yourself?  Maintain a spirit of love, happiness and optimism no matter your status in life.  That loving spirit helps to carry us through times of trouble.

I happen to have gathered a lot of quotes on optimism in my tiny French Chic notebooks that I carry around with me.  I love these notebooks.  Anytime I have to wait somewhere I always have something uplifting to read.  And oftentimes just a quick read of a favourite quote or paragraph from a book is enough to snap me out of an irritated/bored/flat mood.

I have a positive outlook because I don’t think you can function at your best if you’re constantly worrying or looking at the negative side of things.  I also think being a happy person and being motivated to succeed gives you the kind of energy you need to make other people want to believe in you and help you achieve your goals.
Actress Sofia Vergara

I really do believe that.  Happy, cheery, 'up' people who have a positive and enthusiastic outlook on life are always more fun to be around than moany moaners.  Which one would you rather be???

10 comments:

  1. I always believe the glass is half-full, that the sun with come up tomorrow and that in the end everything will be alright because...that's how it always is. I've had 59 years to prove my case.

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  2. Why would that women be inspirational to you, she is a user and she constantly promotes herself while bringing others down, when I say others, I mean other men's wives. You get what you sow, her career has many ups and downs, mostly down, because she is not authentic, she is a phony who really does not care about anyone but herself. Has she ever really been sorry for any of the people she has hurt along the way to her fake success?
    I do not think so.

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  3. Anon, I appreciate your comment.

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  4. Anon- anyone can be inspirational. Fiona. I have been a life long pessimist. But a recent family problem opened my eyes to the negative influence of my family members. Since I have learned to reject their world view, I have become a positive and joyful person. It is never too late. Optimism is a wonderful gift.

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  5. Kristien, what a heart-warming comment. And thank you also for your support!

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  6. Optimism doesn't come to me naturally, especially when i've had one of those days. But i find that the more i work at it, the easier it is for me to get into an optimistic mood.

    I also like to write quotes and bible verses on a revision card to keep me in a good mood when things are going south.

    You should do a post on some of the quotes that put you in a better mood when you're not at your best mood :)

    xo Stephanie

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  7. I must admit that I had no idea who anthea was. I googled and observed her you tube videos. I don't know anything about her personal life but boy that woman can fold a towel and clean like crazy! I was inspired.

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  8. I'm coming to this a little late but it's a shame that you received a negative comment. I believe you can admire aspects of a person without thinking they are (or have to be) perfect in everything. For someone with an optimistic attitude and a love of her home, Anthea is a good inspiration.

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  9. Hi Jacqui, lovely to hear from you. I watched a Perfect Housewife episode a few days after this post and decided I still love Anthea's cheerful style in motivation, no matter what is happening in her life. No-one is all good or all bad and I try to remember that.

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Merci for your comment. Wishing you a chic day!

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