There’s magic in positivity, helping build resilience and perspective and finding possibilities in rough situations.
Do you like my new glasses? They’re magical. At least, that’s how I like to think of them.
When I put them on, the world looks different. Suddenly, I notice birds chirping, leaves dancing in the wind and sunlight breaking through the clouds. What once seemed dull and dreary now feels alive, hopeful and full of possibility.
Of course, the real magic is not in the frames. Rose-coloured glasses are a symbol of choosing to see life through a more positive lens. That does not mean pretending that everything is perfect. It means remembering that even when life is difficult, goodness, possibility and beauty are still present — and we can train ourselves to notice them.
THE INSPIRATION BEHIND THE IDEA
I have spent nearly 20 years working with young people as a Catholic secondary school teacher, including time as a school chaplain. As a Vaughan mother, author and speaker, I have seen how strongly our perspective affects the way we respond to school, relationships, setbacks and change. I have also learned that encouragement can alter the direction of someone’s entire day — and sometimes much more than that.
The idea of rose-coloured glasses first struck me while analyzing Katy Perry’s song “Chained to the Rhythm” with my students. One lyric refers to putting on rose-coloured glasses and partying on. In the song, the phrase suggests covering up problems with optimism. It reflects a common belief that positivity equals denial, naïveté or foolishness.
But I began to wonder: Why do we so often treat optimism as escapism? Why is negativity considered realistic, while positivity is dismissed as unrealistic or naïve?
A BRIEF HISTORY OF ROSE-COLOURED GLASSES
The expression “to wear rose-coloured glasses” dates back to at least the 19th century. It came to mean looking at life idealistically — focusing on the good while overlooking flaws. Over time, it became almost an insult: a way of calling someone naïve.
Popular culture often reinforces this bias. Think of endlessly cheerful characters such as SpongeBob SquarePants, Emmet from The Lego Movie, Winnie the Pooh or Ned Flanders from The Simpsons. Their optimism is frequently presented as silly, out of touch or unintelligent. The subtle message is that if you are hopeful, you cannot also be serious or perceptive. But is that really fair — or accurate?
THE POWER OF LANGUAGE
Language shapes the way we see the world. Optimism is described by whimsical phrases such as “seeing the silver lining,” “the glass is half full” or “making lemonade out of lemons.” Negativity, on the other hand, is often framed as realistic, practical or honest.
Without realizing it, our language can teach us that skepticism is wise while hopefulness is naïve. Research in positive psychology, however, suggests that grounded optimism can support resilience, healthier coping and greater well-being.
THE SCIENCE OF POSITIVITY
Optimism is not simply a pleasant personality trait. Studies have associated it with lower stress, healthier behaviours and better physical and emotional outcomes. One well-known study examined autobiographical writing by Catholic nuns early in their lives. Decades later, the researchers found that greater positive emotional expression in those writings was associated with longevity. The study did not prove that attitude alone determines lifespan, but it offered a fascinating glimpse into the relationship between emotional outlook and health.
Positivity is not fluff. It can be a practical advantage that affects how we interpret challenges, relate to other people and decide what to do next.
A REAL-LIFE EXAMPLE
As a teacher, I have had many opportunities to practise the Rose-Coloured Glasses Effect. This past school year, I taught one of my most challenging classes: Grade 9 Destreamed Geography. Some days, it felt less like a geography class and more like a reality show. Students argued, played music during lessons and tested boundaries. One day, I walked in to find half the class covered in cupcake icing — although no one would admit where the cupcakes had come from.
After considerable frustration, I put on my metaphorical rose-coloured glasses. I realized that this group was teaching me to be more consistent, establish clearer boundaries and become a stronger leader. I finished the year more capable and resilient than when I began. That is what wearing rose-coloured glasses means. It is not pretending that a difficult situation was wonderful. It is choosing to ask — instead of only “Why did this happen to me?” — “What did this teach me?”
