Chaplain's Spot

Optimist or pessimist?

The Difference Between Optimists and Pessimists by Bud Bilanich, quoting Brian Tracy.

“There are three basic differences in the reactions of optimists and pessimists. 

The first difference is that the optimist sees a setback as temporary, while the pessimist sees it as permanent. The optimist sees an unfortunate event as a temporary event, something that is limited in time, and that has no real impact on the future. The pessimist, on the other hand, sees negative events as permanent, as part of life and destiny.

“The second difference between the optimist and the pessimist is that the optimist sees difficulties as specific, while the pessimist sees them as pervasive. This means that when things go wrong for the optimist, he looks at the event as an isolated incident largely disconnected from other things that are going on in his life. To the pessimist, they are indications of a problem or shortcoming that pervades every area of life.

“The third difference between optimists and pessimists is that optimists see events as external, while pessimists interpret events as personal. When things go wrong, the optimist tends to see the setback as resulting from external factors over which one has little control.

“If the optimist is cut off in traffic, for example, instead of getting angry or upset, he will simply downgrade the importance of the event by saying something like, ‘Oh, well, I guess that person is just having a bad day.’  The pessimist on the other hand, has a tendency to take everything personally. If the pessimist is cut off in traffic, he will react as though the other driver has deliberately acted to upset and frustrate him.

“Look on the inevitable setbacks that you face as being temporary, specific and external. View the negative situation as a single event that is not connected to other potential events and that is caused largely by external factors over which you can have little control. Simply refuse to see events as being permanent, pervasive or indicative of personal incompetence of inability.  Resolve to think like an optimist, no matter what happens. You may not be able to control events but you can control the way you react to them.

 “Action Exercises: “Here are three actions you can take to put these ideas into action.

“First, remind yourself continually that setbacks are only temporary, they will soon be past and nothing is as serious as you think it is.

“Second, look upon each problem as a specific event, not connected to other events and not indicative of a pattern of any kind. Deal with it and get on with your life.

“Third, recognize that when things go wrong, they are usually caused by a variety of external events. Say to yourself, ‘What can’t be cured must be endured,’ and then get back to thinking about your goals.”

Are you an optimist or a pessimist? How might you change your mind-set?

Games time:

I recently added some new jigsaws to the stock of games for our weekly games club. They are great group activities. 

Community wellbeing:  

Toast Tuesday: Our free breakfast program runs weekly on Tuesdays at 8.30am, and is open to all students. Remember that all other days, students cannot be at school until 8.45 when staff supervision is available. We always need to ensure our students are safe. 

On Tuesdays, students need to be with their parents or stay around the SPC until supervision starts at 8.45. 

Woolies Eastland supports us with a monthly gift card for our spreads.

We would like to add a couple of emergency extras to our helpers roster. The rest of term 3 is filled, but if you would like to come and check out what is involved feel free to drop in and see our team during Toast Tuesday.

Baker Delight goods: We are thankful to Bakers Delight Heathmont, for their generous provision of loaves for Toast Tuesday. If you would appreciate regular bakery items, please email me, or see me at school. 

Second-hand uniforms etc:

Thank you to all who have donated uniform back to us. Please don’t cut off the tag showing the size, and please wash items before returning. If you have any non-GRPS shirts or jackets, please take them to the Opp Shop, as well as the old style dresses. We need to supply only current GRPS items. Thanks! 

We have plenty of smaller sizes in shirts, especially size 4 – great for spares in the winter wetness. There are others in size 6, 10, 12, 14, 16. In jackets we also have many size 4, plus 6-12. Pants are mostly size 4-8, plus 10. 

Contact: Feel free to contact me about anything that is of concern for you or your family, whether emotional, social, spiritual or practical. 

Regarding students, I can meet with them once, and for further contact we ask parents to sign a Consent Form. If you would like a form, I can send one home or email one to you. 

Alan Silverwood: Chaplain - Pastoral care for our community. [Tuesday & Friday] 

[alan.silverwood@education.vic.gov.au]

Supporting the School community in emotional, social, spiritual and practical wellbeing. Our Chaplaincy program is funded by the Federal Government’s ‘National Student Wellbeing Program’, the GRPS School Council and donations.