As you know, Michael J. Fox’s Adventures of an Incurable Optimist was on ABC this week. I would love to see it become a television series! 
This is the first of several posts in response to questions and comments raised in the show. Throughout the show, I was struck by the time spent on why someone is optimistic. Why? Possible answers included genetic predisposition, insanity and even geography. I’m not sure about the finality of any one of these answers.
I think optimism is a choice. For example, it’s easy to blame negativity or passivity on geography. The weather isn’t right, the neighborhood isn’t ideal, the economy especially hit this city vs. that city. It could go on and on. If someone is in this situation, it is a matter of choice for that person to think optimistically. Really. For example, the people in Bhutan, the country that measures national happiness, are happy. But I think it is because they have made a conscious decision to be happy! Yes, I agree the altitude may help. But I don’t think the altitude alone makes them happy. Regardless of how many factors are involved, the deciding factor in happiness – in Bhutan and anywhere else - is always making the choice to be happy.
