On optimism
For some time now, I describe myself as a pathological optimist. I realized it is one of my favorite and most dominant traits. I get complimented on it, laughed at it, I've seen people shake their heads or even try to talk me out of it. Not long ago, I was listening to the song "Million dreams" by Pink. I tuned in with the lyrics and at 'a million dreams is all it's gonna take', the voice in my head squealed with joy: "Is that really it? That's SO DOABLE!!" Ever since I've realized that this is what my automatic subconscious reaction to such words looks like, I don't even blame them anymore. I think the attitude is best described by a joke I like. It's about two boys, one a proper pessimist and the other a great optimist. At Christmas, the parents decide to test them. They buy half of the toy store for the pessimist and bring a truckload of horse manure for the optimist. The bell rings, and the children run to their rooms to look for presents. There is a cry from the pessimist's room: 'Oh God, so many toys.. everyone will envy me.. they will keep on breaking down, and I will need to replace the batteries all the time..' There is laughter from the optimist's room. When the parents arrive in the room, they find the optimist rolling around and giggling: 'So much manure, I bet there must be a pony somewhere near!'
“We are all in a gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.”
Some may say being an optimist in today's world equals being naïve, but it is not the same. Some may think that the matter of being an optimist or a pessimist is a given, something that you "are" and can't do anything about, but I believe it is a choice. It can be learned, practiced. It is just another mental pattern you can choose to change. Remember, what you focus on, you will get more of. It goes hand in hand with manifesting the life you want to live, but that's a whole another topic (maybe for another day).
And trust me - I believe I've heard all the argumentation already. It makes much more sense to be realistic. Even I sometimes say that pessimism has its benefits: either it turns out you're right, or you get a positive surprise. What's there to lose, right? You can't get disappointed as long as you keep your head, hopes, and expectations low. The problem is, you likely won't get ecstatically thrilled by anything either. And I refuse to miss out on the highs of life in a futile attempt to ditch the lows. They will come anyway. What's the point then, you ask me? It's simple:
“Choose to be optimistic, it feels better. ”
And with that, my friends: cheers to life, and I hope that you choose well.
