When they talk about our current medical challenge, I hear many newscasters say, "He or she's a Pollyanna," to mean someone unrealistically optimistic.
They have not read the novel to understand what designating someone a Pollyanna really means.
They miss the full story from the novel written in 1913 by Eleanor H. Porter.
Pollyanna feels encouraged to discover something Glad in every situation, no matter now bleak it appears.
At Christmas, Pollyanna wishes for a doll in the missionary barrel but finds a pair of crutches. Her father tells her to be glad about the crutches because she does not need them.
When Pollyanna becomes an orphan, she has to live with her Aunt Polly in Beldingsville, Vermont. Her Glad Game helps to distract her from the aunt's attitude.
Pollyanna teaches several of Beldingsville's frustrated inhabitants to "play the game." Aunt Polly eventually adopts Pollyanna's buoyancy, although she resists the Glad Game longer than anyone else.
When a car hits Pollyanna, she loses the use of her legs. Lying in bed, she feels no gladness.
The townspeople come to her rescue. They share with Pollyanna how much her encouragement has improved their lives.
Pollyanna decides she feels Glad that she has experienced her legs.
Pollyanna learns to walk again and appreciates the use of her legs as a result of being temporarily unable to walk.
Check out the Disney movie with Haley Mills: https://movies.disney.com/pollyanna
Now you know the story of what becoming a Pollyanna really means. Search for a Gladness in all your challenges. Share it with family and friends.
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