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???