5.
Do you see the glass as half-full rather than half-empt?Suchclichés(陈词滥调)are (1) questions, as researchers examine with great care the power of positive thinking. Research is proving that optimism can (2) you to be happier, healthier and more successful. Pessimism leads, (3) , to hopelessness, sickness and failure, and is linked to (4) , loneliness and painful shyness. If we could teach people to think more positively, it would be like protecting them against these (5) illnesses.
Your abilities count but the belief that you can succeed (6) the result. When things go wrong the pessimist tends to (7) himself. “I’m not good at this,” he says. “I always fail.” But the optimist looks for other (8) . Negative or positive, you are what you think. If people feel hopeless they don’t (9) to acquire the skills they need to succeed.
A sense of control is the real test for (10) . The optimist feels in control of his own life. If things are going badly, he (11) quickly, looking for solutions, forming a new plan of action, and (12) for advice. The pessimist feels like a toy of fate and moves slowly. He doesn’t seek advice, since he (13) nothing can be done. Many studies suggest that the pessimist’s feeling of helplessness (14) the body’s immune system. The pessimist doesn’t take good care of himself. Feeling passive and unable to avoid life’s (15) , he expects ill health and other misfortunes, no matter what he does. He eats junk food, avoids exercise, and (16) the doctor.
Most people are a(n) (17) of optimism and pessimism, but are in favor of one direction or the other. It is a pattern of (18) learned at our mothers’ knees. It grows out of thousands of cautions or (19) , negative statements or positive ones. Pessimism is a hard habit to (20) but it can be done. So, if you are a pessimist, there are ways....