Life inflicts the same setbacks and tragedies on the optimist as on the pessimist, but the optimist weathers them better.

Well-being cannot exist just in your own head. Well-being is a combination of feeling good as well as actually having meaning, good relationships and accomplishment.

There are physical characteristics which are inherited. These include things like good looks, high intelligence, physical coordination. These attributes contribute to success in life, and success in life is a determinant of optimism.

The good life is using your signature strengths every day to produce authentic happiness and abundant gratification.

Habits of pessimism lead to depression, wither achievement, and undermine physical health. The good news is that pessimism can be unlearned, and that with its removal depression, underachievement, and poor health can be alleviated.

Changing the destructive things you say to yourself when you experience the setbacks that life deals all of us is the central skill of optimism.

Positive thinking is the notion that if you think good thoughts, things will work out well. Optimism is the feeling of thinking things will be well and be hopeful.