Question: In undesirable situations, how does positivity affect individuals? “Look on the bright side.” In an effort to console those in undesirable situations, it is natural to urge them to be optimistic. Positivity, according to the law of attraction, is believed to produce beneficial results. As psychologist Barbara Fredrickson discovered, the “tipping point” of positivity is “the exact moment when you have enough to overcome the negative and help you operate at your happiest and most successful” (Onderko). The task of keeping morale high is not one that can be done easily, but sometimes dwelling on the negative can have its own benefits. The individuals in Apocalypse Now, Heart of Darkness, and The Hollow Men, encounter times where they have episodes of difficulty and choose a positive outlook over a negative outlook. A synonym for positive is progressive. Recognizing the result achieved helps you refocus on the problem at hand. In Apocalypse Now, Captain Benjamin Willard is tasked with executing Colonel Walter Kurtz on the grounds of insanity. Willard finally meets Kurtz when he arrives at his compound and is greeted by the “sons of Kurtz.” After killing Kurtz, Willard finds Kurtz's manuscript which states “Drop the bomb. Exterminate them all." However, Willard does not listen to these instructions because he realizes that the natives are not his enemies. Willard has respect for the natives, as seen when he tells the men on his boat not to shoot without reason, in the previous scenes. Dare to the natives the benefit of the doubt that they are not harmful, allowed Willard to focus on his mission and complete it. Optimism can also be used as a coping mechanism. The Hollow Men give off the vibe that the men are trying to face... center of paper......s-Pedersen, "change is difficult and will cause reactions" (Ross-Pederson). How we deal with these actions is the important part: uncomfortable encounters force the people to prioritize and adapt. Respond to situations that are not ideal in a positive way, create new perspectives, and get to the true essence of problems. Works Cited Apocalypse Now. Joseph. Heart of Darkness. London [etc.: Penguin, 2012. Print.Eliot, TS. “The Hollow Men”. Poetry X. Ed. Jough Dempsey. July 13, 2003. December 19, 2013Onderko, Patty. “A Tip to Happiness: A Renowned Researcher Offers Timeless Advice on How to Get More Out of Life.” SuccessNov. 2013: 40+. General OneFile. Network. December 18, 2013. Ross-Pedersen, Cynthia. “There is a silver lining in negativity.” Computing Canada March 15, 1995: 11. General OneFile. Network. December 18. 2013.