Forget the “good vibes only” memes. Forget the saccharine mantras that float around the internet. I’m talking about a gritty, sweat-soaked, mountain-conquering kind of PMA, the kind that emerges not from blind positivity but from facing the suck and finding the strength to keep moving uphill.
Just recently, I found myself on a hike with my kids. Now, picture this: whining, exhaustion, sunburns, and a backpack that felt like it was filled with anvils. You could say the “positive mental attitude” train had left the station, replaced by the “woe is me” express.
But then, something shifted. Maybe it was the breathtaking vista opening up after a particularly grueling incline. Maybe it was the shared laughter with my kids as we stumbled over loose rocks. Whatever it was, a spark ignited. I remembered the power of PMA, not as a forced smile, but as a choice to focus on what I could control: my breath, my steps, the beauty around me.
And here’s the thing: it wasn’t some magic pill. It wasn’t easy. There were still moments of doubt, fatigue, and wanting to give up. But by consciously choosing PMA, by shifting my perspective from the negative to the possibilities, I found a newfound resilience. Each step, each challenge, became a testament to my strength, my grit, and yes, my damn positive mental attitude.
This wasn’t my first encounter with PMA. It wasn’t some new-age discovery. In fact, it found me years ago, not in some self-help book, but in the hardcore punk scene. Bands like Cro-Mags, with their frontman Jon Joseph’s unwavering belief in self-reliance and positive action, showed me that PMA wasn’t just about rainbows and unicorns. It was about facing your demons head-on, finding your inner strength, and pushing forward.
But the roots of PMA stretch far beyond the mosh pits of the 80s. The concept has been explored and championed by various groups throughout history, each with their own unique interpretation:
- Stoicism: This ancient philosophy emphasizes accepting what you cannot control and focusing on your own thoughts and actions. The Stoic thinker Seneca famously said, “It is not that we have little time, but that we waste a lot of it.“
- Alcoholics Anonymous: The 12 Steps of AA, particularly Step 2 (“Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity”) and Step 11 (“Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God, as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out”), encourage a positive outlook and reliance on a higher power.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): This therapy focuses on identifying and changing negative thought patterns that can contribute to depression, anxiety, and other mental health challenges. By challenging negative thoughts and replacing them with more realistic and helpful ones, CBT practitioners encourage a more positive outlook.
So, ditch the “good vibes only” facade. Embrace the raw, real, sometimes gritty version of PMA. It’s not about ignoring the challenges; it’s about choosing to see them as opportunities for growth, resilience, and ultimately, triumph. Remember, the view from the top is always worth the climb, and PMA is your trusty hiking companion, every step of the way.