Over a week has passed since Hurricane Katrina struck LA, MS, and AL. The Police is still trying to force people to evacuate New Orleans, relatives in other states are helping their suffering extended family, and millions of dollars have been raised to help the victims. If in five years we look at the victims that are now sheltered in Texas, we will see that some would have put their lives back together, they may have good jobs, and nice homes. In fact, for many, their quality of life will be higher than before the hurricane. Others might still be suffering from emotional scars, many might still be trying to land adequate employment, and maybe trying to decide where to live. Why would people that experience the same tragedy and receive the same financial help and other aid end up in such different circumstances? Hope and optimism are the key!
A solid sense of optimism is one of the strongest predictors of success and resiliency in life. Penn State was having difficulty predicting which students were more likely to graduate four years later. They had all kinds of data, but nothing was coming up as the key indicator. After they conducted psychological tests of students they found the strongest correlation of success was the student's level of pessimism or optimism. West Point Academy was also trying to understand which cadets were more likely to make it into the second year. This was a big issue since they were losing 10% in attrition. The key indicator was not SAT scores or fitness level, it was the degree of optimism. After 9/11 the most optimistic people were able to not only recover emotionally quicker, their state of well being was actually higher afterwards because they were overwhelmed with the outpouring of goodwill from so many people.
The good news is that optimism can be learned. When I coach clients who are working on increasing their level of happiness in life, we take a few weeks to improve their optimism. After just a few weeks, their level of happiness is measurably and sustainably higher. Of course, so is mine! Last night I talked with about 30 or so evacuees that are in Texas, Louisiana, and Tennessee. Despite the fact that most had lost their homes and jobs, I would say that at least 70% were already making optimistic comments. For example, one was overwhelmed with the love a family had shown to her by inviting her to their home. Another was excited about the number of jobs available in Dallas and a new apartment they had already gotten through a state agency. One was looking forward to living by his sister in Memphis. They realized that bad things do happen to good people. I talked to only a few people that were bitter and pessimistic, and they were not necessarily those that had the worst experience.
As we help the victims, let's not just give them money or jobs, let's help them find the goodness in their situation (there is always a blessing), help them understand that this difficult moment is not going to last, and that they are loved. Let us also pray that God blesses them with the virtue of Hope. “Hope is the theological virtue by which we desire the kingdom of Heaven and eternal life as our happiness, placing our trust in Christ’s promises and relying not on our own strength, but on the help of the grace of the Holy Spirit” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 1817).
“Encircle me, oh God,
keep faith within
and pride without.
Encircle me, oh God,
keep hope within
and despair without.
Encircle me, oh God,
Keep love within
and hate without.”
A Celtic Prayer
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