Success requires persistence, the ability to not give up in the face of failure. I believe that optimistic explanatory style is the key to persistence.

If we just wanted positive emotions, our species would have died out a long time ago.

On the relationship side, if you teach people to respond actively and constructively when someone they care about has a victory, it increases love and friendship and decreases the probability of depression.

Curing the negatives does not produce the positives.

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.

Optimism is a tool with a certain clear set of benefits: it fights depression, it promotes achievement and produces better health.

Reaching beyond where you are is really important.