Statistics was not my favorite course in college. Today, as I do research on the Internet, I run into statistics constantly. An article in the July Mayo Clinic Newsletter provided fascinating numbers about the way we look at life and the impact of outlook on our quality of life. Outlook has measurable side effects.

Research has found that women who have an optimistic outlook live healthier and longer lives when compared with those whose outlook is pessimistic! This is part of the findings of the large Women's Health Initiative that involved 100,000 women age 50 and over. Since 1994, the follow-up reveals that among the optimists, 30 percent, for example were less likely to die of heart disease and 14 percent were less likely to die of anything else when compared with pessimists:

"Researchers found that for every 100 study participants, the 25 who scored as being the most pessimistic, anxious and depressed had about a 30 percent greater chance of dying than did those who were optimistic, least anxious and least depressed."

Of course, the article continues by expounding on the obvious. Optimists have fewer problems with their daily routines and are generally happier, calmer, peaceful and enjoy social activities. We cannot exclude men, so many share varied outlooks; some believe that their glass is always at least half-full; there are others whose water glass is always half empty.

During this past week, I ran into an optimist who far exceeded my own attitude that "things will work out." The incident occurred while I was in Los Angeles. I called a taxi in order to catch my train home. I entered the cab asking for "Union Station, please." The driver should have been pleased; it was a good fare, a 12-mile ride. It became obvious he was new to the job and had no idea where the railroad station was located. I told him the street name. I suggested I hail another cab, at least ask another driver. "No, no, I will find it!" In answer to my question, the gentleman said he had been driving a cab for less than two weeks. Oops!

My optimism was fading; his never lost its rhythm. Calmly and with a confident smile, he continued to work his way through areas I did not remember and he had obviously never seen. But with a triumphant smile that reflected "I told you so," my driver proudly delivered me to the station. I cannot tell you whether he was a confirmed optimist or whether his confident air was strictly for my benefit. I did not know what he was saying to himself.

Self-talk is an important tool in the making of an optimist. We tell ourselves we can or we cannot. Frequently while we are talking to another person, other ideas and thoughts run through our minds at the same time. For example, while the cab driver was telling me the names of the streets we were passing, was he thinking, "I have no idea where I am!" or, hopefully, "I know I can get this woman to the station!" Quietly, we support ourselves internally or destroy our intent.

Outlook and attitude work together closely. My friend Bob Cole is past 86 years old. He lives in Carlsbad and is one of my regular readers who is a pen pal. Bob has been deviled by arthritis. Recently he finds he is not comfortable doing the things he enjoys, feeling forced to sit tight, read a book and take it easy.Â

He wrote to me expressing regret that we could not meet for lunch.

Through his pain and discomfort, his optimism shines through: "We will have that lunch … I am an optimist by nature, too many pessimists abound … (they) spread the 'doom and gloom' and create depression. I believe we have to keep looking on the bright side of things and continue to hope and pray that all will be well for the future of our children."Â

I suggested to another friend, who will be 90 in several months, that she start thinking about a party. She giggled and said, "Who needs to think about that? I am enjoying right now!"

Is it nature or nurture that makes us positive or negative? The Mayo Clinic states, "One's general attitude in life is likely attributable to a combination of nature and nurture -- family genes combined with upbringing and ongoing life experiences …" One study I read on the Internet suggested that about 30 percent of our outlook is genetic. Nurture and experience provide hope that we can change things.Â

According to the Mayo Clinic newsletter, change is possible; challenges are varied. The article suggests: truly search for good things in life; savor and remember good times gratefully; relearn and enjoy simple things; practice random kindness; and finally, reconsider the destructive nature of pessimism and criticism of others. Reassess the outlook of habit; reach out to others.

Let's agree to take a walk in the fresh air, help a stranger climb onto the bus, savor our precious memories, remove the tarnished optimism -- and live longer. Â

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Agnes Herman is a freelance columnist. Contact her at 760-744-6878; e-mail to aggherman@sbcglobal.net.