Phony Positivity

I was inflamed and disappointed listening to NPR today. Disappointed because I like Barbara Enrenreigh, but annoyed by the interview on her new book, Bright-sided: How the Relentless Promotion of Positive Thinking Has Undermined America. I think the title speaks for itself. Based on our experiment, I say she couldn’t be more wrong.

I haven’t read the book, but I found her anecdotal approach just depressing. I suspect the book is rich with information to support her argument, but I couldn’t help but wonder how her pessimistic and overly skeptical intellectual approach blocked her capacity to see the all the evidence, as well, that points to the benefits of positive thinking. Our group is living proof that taking a more optimistic and resilient mindset allows us to shift perspectives, and creates a pathway for a new reality.

I certainly felt compassion for Ehrenreigh’s battle with cancer, as this appears to be the impetus for this anti-positivity campaign. Apparently, she was annoyed by the “phony positively” in the cancer movement. Hello!&# Has she never heard of the power of hope? And, how was she able to judge the intentions and content in other’s minds?

When I met Ericka, from the career empowerment group, almost fourteen years ago I thought she was a total fake. Nobody could be that upbeat, happy and hardy all the time, I thought. Because I wasn’t seeing life through my current rose colored glasses, I made the judgment she wasn’t being real. Maybe Ehrenreigh is making the same judgment I made years ago, and painting all of the US with her broad, pessimistic brush.

Oh, it would have been great if the journalist could have just challenged her thinking, just a bit. Don't worry - I sent them an email.