Vindication of Attitude

My daughter Yasmin, who knows me about as well as anybody else and still loves me anyhow, sent me a link yesterday to this marvelous article from the BBC News health department: Feeling Grumpy 'Is Good for You.'

The story tells of the work of an Australian psychologist named Joe Forgas who has studied emotions, and his discovery that "...in contrast to those annoying happy types, miserable people are better at decision-making and less gullible." Professor Forgas goes on to note that "While cheerfulness fosters creativity, gloominess breeds attentiveness and careful thinking."

Speaking as a practicing curmudgeon, I am pleased to see my world view vindicated by a scientific study.

The study determined that a grumpy person can cope with more demanding situations than a happy one because his brain processes information better...people who are in a bad mood make fewer mistakes and communicate better than those who are consistently cheerful. Professor Forgas noted that while a positive mood seems to promote creativity, flexibility, co-operation and reliance on mental shortcuts, a negative one triggers more attentive, careful thinking, and a tendency to pay greater attention to one's surroundings.

So turn over that new leaf and join me in viewing the world through morose-colored glasses. You'll think better and more efficiently, and you'll feel better every time you shake your head in bemused contempt at the political and religious shenanigans that intrude upon your day.

Curmudgeons rule!

Have a good day. Cartoon Saturday is coming...

Bilbo