My friend, Roberta Budvietas, wrote recently that being an optimist or a pessimist can create problems. I wrote in response I am an optimist, in spite of reality. It’s why I create new products- medical, environmental, and consumer- and want to help folks grow their businesses. Because if we don’t think things will be better, why would we try at all?
Well, it turns out that being an optimist is critical to being creative. Our mood alters the way our visual cortex operates; a good mood renders it more capable of discerning information, while a bad mood is the cause of tunnel vision. This was reported by Drs. Schmitz, Da Rosa, and Anderson in the Journal of Neuroscience.
The researchers from the University of Toronto examined 16 subjects via fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging). They provided images designed to generate good, bad, and neutral moods. They were then shown a composite image that always contained a face (which was upon what they were requested to focus).
When the subjects were in bad moods, they failed to process the picture in total, and only recognized the facial image. When in good moods, the subjects recognized and reported more (or all) of the items in the image. Both the bad and good moods also involved amygdalar responses, which were virtually absent when the subject was of neutral mood.
So, if you plan to do research or need to monitor situations clearly, it would behoove you to insure your mood were positive. It is less likely you will miss information- which may be critical for your project.
It is with great sadness that I pay tribute to Christopher Hitchens. Chris died yesterday, after dealing with esophogeal cancer. Chris was an amazing fellow- bright, quick, ascerbic, devout (in his atheism and his belief in man), with a sense of humor second-to-none. 
Why he read my blog is beyond me, but I was honored that he did. And, in with the ironic twist that I am sure he would appreciate, alav hashalom- may his spirit be blessed by Hashem.
Interesting, thanks Roy. Will keep the mood in mind before embarking on next jewellery lesson!
Ruth Seba recently posted..An unusual request
Absolutely, Ruth:
I would need every crutch I could find for that filigree work….
Thank you, Roy, for giving me yet another reason to remain an optimist sometimes in spite of myself. 🙂
Lisbeth Tanz recently posted..Watching a Dream come True
Glad to oblige, Lisbeth!
May your creativity soar to higher heights.
Roy
I guess I must be an awful researcher. I love to learn things, but I have always been a contrarian and a pessimist. I try to be optimistic, but it is not easy for me.
I am so sorry Chris Hitchens is dead. He was so young.
Ann recently posted..Facebook’s Timeline—Love It, Hate It, Learn to Live with It
Ann:
Being a contrarian does not mean one is pessimistic. And, you may just need a few more hugs each day to change the attitude. Consider this a virtual one…
Roy
Now is there something then that the glasses you use are the same as John Lennon wore – and he did create beautiful music and verse
Glad I inspired something. you constantly inspire me so turnaround is fair. Thanks
Roberta recently posted..Stuck thinking that Acceptance is agreement?
And, Roberta, I thank you immensely for the inspiration!
Roy
Interesting indeed. I need to show my partner this!
Janine Ripper recently posted..Do You Like a Challenge?
Don’t just show it to him, Janine…
Read it to him and ask him what he thinks….
Roy
Indeed a wonderful reminder Roy!
I guess I would also count myself as being an optimistic, and hardly giving myself a reason to think negative. But yes, as we are humans and sometimes we do tend to turn negative, but then I just divert my mind to other things to change my mood to a positive one. It does help a great deal.
Thanks for sharing 🙂
Harleena Singh recently posted..Benefits of Walking Everyday
Great idea, Harleena.
A prepared mind is one that can reach great heights!
Roy
See, there are more reasons for staying positive and in a good mood! Thanks Roy for sharing the very interesting research.
Lynn Brown recently posted..How to Tell if Your Readers are Still Awake
Thanks for dropping in and leaving a comment, Lynn!
Glad you enjoyed the post…
Roy
Roy, you really made me put my red glasses again – just before X-mas time! We need to be optimistic because I think that there are too many people with real problems and the world do not need people complaining from minor stuff:)
Anna recently posted..dentists
Glad you have them on. They also change the complexion of the clouds, too.
May all your days stay rosy!
Roy