Question: In undesirable situations, how does positivity affect individuals? “Look on the bright side. » In efforts to comfort those who find themselves in undesirable situations, it is natural to encourage 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 counterbalance the negative and help you function in the happiest and most successful way” ( Onderko). The task of keeping your spirits up is not an easy task to accomplish, but sometimes, dwelling on the negative can have its own benefits. The individuals in Apocalypse Now, Heart of Darkness, and The Hollow Men go through times where they go through difficult episodes and choose a positive outlook over a negative outlook. A synonym for positive is progressive. Recognizing what has been accomplished helps refocus on the problem at hand. In Apocalypse Now, Captain Benjamin Willard is tasked with executing Colonel Walter Kurtz for insanity. Willard finally meets Kurtz, when he arrives at his compound and is greeted by "Kurtz's kids". After killing Kurtz, Willard finds Kurtz's manuscript that says "Drop the Bomb." Exterminate them all. Willard, however, does not listen to these instructions because he realizes that the natives are not his enemy. Willard has respect for the natives as seen when he tells the men on his boat not to shoot without reason, in earlier scenes. Giving the natives the benefit of the doubt about their safety allowed Willard to focus on his mission and accomplish it. Optimism can also be used as a coping mechanism. The Hollow Men gives off the vibe that men are trying to deal with middle of paper...... s-Pedersen, "change is difficult and will provoke reactions" (Ross-Pederson). How we handle these actions is the important part, uncomfortable encounters force people to prioritize and adapt. Respond to situations that are not ideal in a positive way, create new perspectives and access the true essence of the problems. Works Cited Apocalypse Now. Real. Francis F. Coppola. Paramount Pictures, 1979. Conrad, Joseph. Heart of Darkness. London [etc. : Penguin, 2012. Print.Eliot, T.S. “Hollow Men”. Poetry X. Ed. Jough Dempsey. July 13, 2003. December 19, 2013 Onderko, Patty. “Toward Happiness: A Renowned Researcher Offers Timeless Advice for Getting the Most Out of Life.” SuccessNov. 2013: 40+. General OneFile. Internet. December 18, 2013.Ross-Pedersen, Cynthia. “There is a positive side to negativity.” Computer Canada March 15, 1995: 11. General OneFile. Internet. December 18. 2013.