By LAURA LEONARD
Doctor of Chiropractic
Los Alamos
I have discussed optimism in my articles more times than I can count on my fingers. In my opinion, developing an optimistic outlook on life is the easiest way to reduce stress and add years to your life.
A recent research review paper covering 25 studies on 217,256 participants, concluded that risk of death from all causes is decreased in people with an optimistic outlook. This is a stunning conclusion considering the stakes at hand.
I have personally witnessed this in my practice. Optimistic patients with less than optimal lifestyle choices are often healthier than expected. Developing optimism when life is difficult however, is a hard thing to do. Being positive all the time doesn’t work when life is throwing the whole lemon tree your way and you don’t have the energy to make lemonade.
When hard times hit, the parable of the Chinese farmer is the best story I have encountered to help us shift towards a more optimistic outlook. This Taoist parable dates back to 2nd century BC and is also known as; Bad Luck? Good Luck? Who Knows?”. Taoism teaches the art of not being attached to life circumstances. There is something to be learned from every experience good or bad.
We need contrasting experiences to truly appreciate what we have. The parable of the Chinese farmer shows us that detachment from our present circumstance helps us let go of fear of the things we can’t control. This parable is also a beautiful illustration of how we can find the strength to be optimistic in every situation since we have no way of predicting what the end result will be.
Once upon a time there was a Chinese farmer whose horse ran away. That evening, all of his neighbors came around to commiserate. They said, “We are so sorry to hear your horse has run away. This is most unfortunate.” The farmer said, “Maybe.”
The next day the horse came back bringing seven wild horses with it, and in the evening everybody came back and said, “Oh, isn’t that lucky. What a great turn of events. You now have eight horses!” The farmer again said, “Maybe.” The following day his son tried to break one of the wild horses, and while riding it, he was thrown and broke his leg. The neighbors then said, “Oh dear, that’s too bad,” and the farmer responded, “Maybe.”
The next day the conscription officers came around to conscript people into the army, and they rejected his son because he had a broken leg. Again all the neighbors came around and said, “Isn’t that great!” Again, he said, “Maybe.” Author Unknown/Retold by Alan Watts
“The whole process of nature is an integrated process of immense complexity, and it’s really impossible to tell whether anything that happens in it is good or bad — because you never know what will be the consequence of the misfortune; or, you never know what will be the consequences of good fortune.” -Alan Watts
Heather Craig, Rosanne Freak-Poli, Aung Zaw Zaw Phyo et al. The association of optimism and pessimism and all-cause mortality: A Systemic Review. The Journal of Personality and Individual Differences. Vol 177: July, 2021
Dr. Leonard’s practice focuses on posture and performance using a combination of soft tissue release, adjustments & exercise recommendations. She also coaches patients on nutrition, self-care & body awareness to manage themselves in between visits. LA Chiropractic Center is in Mary Deal Building, Trinity Drive.
