avatarLee Serpa Azevado

Summary

The article provides humorous and candid advice on maintaining a positive mental attitude by embracing authenticity, resilience, and a non-conformist mindset.

Abstract

The author of the article, Lee, offers a unique perspective on cultivating a positive mental attitude, emphasizing the importance of gratitude, authenticity, and resilience. Lee dismisses the conventional wisdom of positivity, instead advocating for a realistic approach that includes embracing one's inner 'underdog,' taking positive risks, and ignoring the negativity of others. The article is interspersed with satirical commentary and personal anecdotes, suggesting that a positive mental attitude is not about avoiding life's challenges but about facing them with a mix of humor, self-awareness, and a willingness to 'go mental' by embracing life's absurdities and opportunities.

Opinions

  • The author rejects the traditional narrative of positivity, suggesting that it's more about one's attitude and actions rather than blind optimism.
  • Lee views critics as overly judgmental and emphasizes the importance of not letting their negativity affect personal progress.
  • The article promotes the idea that being true to oneself and living authentically is crucial for a positive life.
  • Avoidance is seen as a temporary strategy, not a permanent solution, to maintaining a positive mental attitude.
  • The author encourages readers to seek out diverse and unconventional individuals as a source of life wisdom.
  • Lee suggests that a positive mental attitude is a personal responsibility and can be fostered by finding one's unique approach to life.
  • The article humorously implies that optimists find positivity even in challenging situations, using the lightbulb joke as a metaphor.

How do I Maintain a Positive Mental Attitude?

Simple, be positive, go mental, and have an attitude

Photo by Ramille Soares on Unsplash

I’m not the kind of writer to wave tales of positivity around willy nilly, nor am I the kind of contextual deviant to laden my stories with satirical words of wisdom. In fact, if you get off on such shenanigans I strongly suggest you go join your local Satirists Anonymous support group, you’ll find no such nonsense in any of my stories.

Please raise your hand if you have an opinion about my life.

Now put it over your mouth, thank you.

My critics are far too judgmental about me these days. I can tell just by looking at them.

What they call being an ‘underachiever’, I call being an ‘underdog’, what they call carelessness, I call positive risk-taking, they say I’m burnt-out, I say I’m just fucked off. You get the idea.

I didn’t get where I am today by listening to the negativity of naysayers, the bullshit of non-believers or the scorn of scaremongerers. Plus, let’s not lose sight of the fact that that as a burnt-out, wine-sipping stoner, masterfully masquerading as a high functioning member of society, I haven’t got time for such tomfoolery.

Believe you me when I tell you that positive thinking is as essential to life as trash-talk is to Trump. And that’s why knowing your pros from your cons, your uppers from your downers and your ass from your elbow will keep you positive.

I know what you’re thinking — “Lee, this is all very well, but how does one be positive in a world full of arseholes?”

I was positive you were going to ask me that. Here’s my list of life hacks for living a positive life:

Be Positive

  1. Don’t forget to be grateful.
  2. Live the most authentic life you can.
  3. At its worse, avoidance should only ever be a short-term tactic, never a lifestyle choice.
  4. Remember that regrets are a waste of fucking time.
  5. Make someone’s day.

Go Mental

  1. Seek out the nutjobs, the loons and the weirdos, it is from such people that you will learn the most about life.
  2. Let people think you’re crazy, what do you care?
  3. Start saying yes to every opportunity.
  4. When the shit hits the fan scoop it up and throw it back.
  5. I recently told my psychiatrist that I’m experiencing voices that command me to write lists. He told me I don’t have a psychiatrist.

Have an Attitude

  1. Being a kind and compassionate soul should never stop you telling someone to go fuck themselves.
  2. The world is full of arseholes, get over it.
  3. A positive mental attitude can only be created by you.
  4. Find your authentic attitude to life.
  5. Your life is what your attitude makes it.

How many optimists does it take to change a lightbulb?

None, they just find light in the darkness

Satire
Humor
Life Lessons
Wellbeing
This Happened To Me
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