Can’t help feeling pretty positive

Work in Progress By Ivan Morgan

I have read articles over the years citing studies that show a positive attitude has no effect on the outcome of a cancer diagnosis. I read one recently. These are odd studies because they all seem to miss the point completely.

Whether it’s cancer or any other of a long list of horrific problems, facing them with a positive attitude is just a good thing. Period. Expecting your positivity will deliver medical benefits is not the point. A positive attitude is a good coping method.

Not the mindless positivity found in government press releases and political platforms, but the healthy attempt to not make bad situations worse. The determination to keep your head and make do with what you have.

Try flipping the idea over. If your cancer gets worse, is it because you’re not positive enough? Who’d want to carry that thought around?

I am not talking about living in denial, I am talking about measured, mature optimism.

Positivity works for everyone, not just cancer patients.

I sometimes get told my columns are too negative. Perhaps, but as I have said before there is a lot to be negative about in this province. Pointing out things could be better doesn’t make me negative. It makes me determined that things get better.

I am a positive person with high hopes for the future of this place. I firmly believe we will all muddle through.

Case in point. Nearly 100 years ago a Scottish lawyer and politician named William Mackenzie, known as Lord Amulree, was tasked by the British government with coming to Newfoundland and reporting back what he saw. We were in a hard spot at the time. We were a British colony and his job was to try and sort us out. (My people always said he was sent here as punishment for ticking off the wrong people). 

I will spare you the endless details of his dour report, but he didn’t see much good. To read it is to read about a place – this place – without hope. (Almost a century old, it’s still worth reading.)  He’s the guy who suggested we give “democracy a rest” leading to the place being run by bureaucrats for the next 15 years.

I’d love to bring Amulree back from the great beyond and drive him around the Northeast Avalon. I expect he would be amazed by what he saw. I imagine him sitting in my passenger seat sputtering in disbelief.

“This is astonishing! I never imagined this place could amass such wealth! Everyone seems to be thriving! Miraculous.”

To his eyes our world today would appear unimaginably prosperous. He didn’t see it coming. This placed sucked the positivity straight out of the poor fellow.

If you think things here couldn’t get better, remember poor Lord Amulree. He thought so too.    

I am sure 100 years hence the people here will be doing great.

Just because I use this space to tell readers of the seemingly unending nonsense governments get up to doesn’t mean I am a negative person.

It’s a positive attitude that gets me out of bed in the morning. It’s a positive attitude that allows me to write this every week. It’s a positive attitude that allows me to rant how bad things are, because I am sure we can and will do better.

So many people my age seem mired in negativity. ‘Things were better when I was young. Kids today aren’t like we were. The world has gone to hell in a handbasket. I miss the good old days.’

Not me. I remain positive.  I hope to keep a handle on my health. I am sure it’s going to be a lovely fall and winter. I am looking forward to hanging with old friends and making new ones. I look forward to a great Christmas and a fabulous winter. Does this mean all this will happen?  No. But I remain optimistic.

Here’s why. We will be facing three elections in the next year.

Give me strength.

Ivan Morgan can be reached at ivan.morgan@gmail.com