Z. B. Hill - Optimism and Self-Confidence

Optimism and Self-Confidence

CAUSES & EFFECTS
OF EMOTIONS

Embarrassment, Shame, and Guilt

Happiness

Fear and Anxiety

Romantic Attraction

Anger

Optimism and Self-Confidence

Stress and Tension

Sadness

Empathy and Compassion

Envy and Jealousy

Surprise and Flexibility

Emotional Self-Awareness

Loneliness

CAUSES & EFFECTS
OF EMOTIONS

Optimism and Self-Confidence

Z.B. Hill

Mason Crest

Copyright 2015 by Mason Crest, an imprint of National Highlights, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission from the publisher.

Printed and bound in the United States of America.

First printing
9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Series ISBN: 978-1-4222-3067-1
ISBN: 978-1-4222-3076-3
ebook ISBN: 978-1-4222-8769-9

The Library of Congress has cataloged the
hardcopy format(s) as follows:

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Hill, Z. B.

Optimism and self-confidence / Z.B. Hill.

pages cm. (Causes & effects of emotions)

Audience: Age 12+

Audience: Grade 7 to 8.

ISBN 978-1-4222-3076-3 (hardback) ISBN 978-1-4222-3067-1 (series) ISBN 978-1-4222-8769-9 (ebook) 1. OptimismJuvenile literature. 2. Self-confidence in adolescenceJuvenile literature. I. Title.

BF698.35.O57H55 2015

155.232dc23

2014004382

CONTENTS

The journey of self-discovery for young adults can be a passage that includes times of introspection as well joyful experiences. It can also be a complicated route filled with confusing road signs and hazards along the way. The choices teens make will have lifelong impacts. From early romantic relationships to complex feelings of anxiousness, loneliness, and compassion, this series of books is designed specifically for young adults, tackling many of the challenges facing them as they navigate the social and emotional world around and within them. Each chapter explores the social emotional pitfalls and triumphs of young adults, using stories in which readers will see themselves reflected.

Adolescents encounter compound issues today in home, school, and community. Many young adults may feel ill equipped to identify and manage the broad range of emotions they experience as their minds and bodies change and grow. They face many adult problems without the knowledge and tools needed to find satisfactory solutions. Where do they fit in? Why are they afraid? Do others feel as lonely and lost as they do? How do they handle the emotions that can engulf them when a friend betrays them or they fail to make the grade? These are all important questions that young adults may face. Young adults need guidance to pilot their way through changing feelings that are influenced by peers, family relationships, and an ever-changing world. They need to know that they share common strengths and pressures with their peers. Realizing they are not alone with their questions can help them develop important attributes of resilience and hope.

The books in this series skillfully capture young peoples everyday, real-life emotional journeys and provides practical and meaningful information that can offer hope to all who read them. It covers topics that teens may be hesitant to discuss with others, giving them a context for their own feelings and relationships. It is an essential tool to help young adults understand themselves and their place in the world around themand a valuable asset for teachers and counselors working to help young people become healthy, confident, and compassionate members of our society.

Cindy Croft, M.A.Ed

Director of the Center for Inclusive Child Care at Concordia University

Words to Understand

perspectives: Points of view; ways to approach something.

negative: Seeing mainly the downside of something.

positive: Seeing mainly the upside.

challenges: Difficult moments that test your abilities in some way.

depressed: Having a strong feeling of sadness and hopelessness, often for a long time.

researched: Did tests and studies to try to learn more about something.

psychologists: Experts on the human mind and emotions.

aberration: An unusual or strange result.

On a Saturday morning, Lisa and her sister Amy both get out of bed and look out their bedroom window. The sky is covered with clouds, and Amy groans. Oh no, its going to rain! Theyll have to cancel the softball game today.

Lisa shakes her head. No, they wont. Its just cloudy. Its not raining. Besides, the game isnt for another three hours. By then maybe the sun will have come out.

Two hours later, as the two sisters get dressed in their uniforms, the sun hasnt come out, but its not raining either. See, Lisa says, I told you they wouldnt have to cancel the game.

As the girls mom drives them to softball field, Amys cell phone rings. Its their friend Jessica, saying shes come down with a stomach virus and shes not going to be able to play today.

As Amy puts her phone back in her backpack, shes clearly upset. Now were sure to lose! Without Jessica we dont have a chance. Shes our best pitcher.

For the optimist everything looks possiblewhile to the pessimist, challenges may seem too great to overcome.

Lisa just smiles. Well be fine. Youre as good as at pitching as Jessica, Amy.

Amy scowls and shakes her head. No, Im not! I always get nervous and then I mess up. I know were going to lose. I wish it had rained and theyd cancelled the game. At least then we wouldnt have had to get slaughtered by the other team.

Lisa gives her sister a little pat. Well, Im a pretty good pitcher too, you know. And weve got a lot of good players on our team. I know we can play a good game.

How can you be so calm? Amy wails. Everything is going wrong.

But Lisa shakes her head. No, it isnt. Jessica got sick, but it isnt the end of the world.

Their mother parks the car and the sisters grab their gloves and get out. I wish Id just stayed home, Amy whispers to Lisa as they turn toward the field. Im so nervous I feel like Im going to be sick too. I just know were going to lose.

Lisa puts her arm around her sisters shoulders. Dont worry, she tells Amy. Weve practiced hard. Were good players, and weve got a good team. Weve got a good coach. Its going to be fun!

A few hours later, the two sisters are back home, telling their father about the game. It was a great game, Lisa says. We won in the final inning. We were fantastic!