Do you ever wish you were more optimistic? Having someone around who always (1) ... the worst isn't really a lot of fun  — we all know someone who sees a single cloud on a sunny day and says, "It (2) ... like rain." But if you catch yourself thinking such things, it's important to do something about it. You can change your view of life, according to psychologists. It only takes a little (3) ..., and you'll find life more rewarding as a result. Optimism, they say, is partly about self-respect and confidence but it's also a more positive way of looking at life and all it has to (4) ... . Optimists are more likely to start new projects and are generally more prepared to (5) ... risks. Upbringing is obviously very important in forming your (6) ... to the world. Some people are brought up to (7) ... too much on others and grow up forever blaming other people when anything (8) ... wrong. Most optimists, on the other hand, have been brought up not to regard failure as the end of the world  — they just (9) ... with their lives.