Years ago, while trying to help me when I was down in the dumps, a dear friend said to me, “It’s just as easy to choose optimism as to choose pessimism.” It wasn’t until she said that that it dawned on me that I could choose.
Being superstitious I am going to knock wood after this sentence, but I believe there’s reason for optimism. (Just knocked). I was unable to speak for a couple of days following the 2016 election, but the sleazy orange one can’t - or won’t - hide how disgusting he is - and I’m hoping those who might be inclined to vote party ticket for him will in fact vote NO. (Knocked again).
I agree (knock wood). He is getting a little outrageouly more horrible just yesterday with the comment about immigrants. and bloodbath. I feel he senses he is losing. Is that what you mean?
March 14 issue of Axios, "The day after the Oct. 7 attack on Israel by Hamas, President Biden was already talking about it as a world-altering event that could reverberate through the 21st century."
Seven and a-half months is a long time, the world as we know it could change greatly in that time.
There is a corollary to that old bromide. It’s just as easy to fall in love with a rich man as a poor one (Anita Loos). Your apparently unsympathetic friend may have simply meant, “stop being such a bore.” Declaring that the glass is half full doesn’t double the amount of water in the glass, any more than declaring the glass half empty diminishes the actual amount of water therein. One can decide that a half glass is sufficient, however. Your cartoon family are about to find out that cars are heavier than air, and any pessimism was well-founded.
Too much optimism, however, can prevent one from being prepared when the worst happens... And while "...some people are just the way they are because of circumstances, and perhaps brain chemistry that is not their fault. No one is “evil” - may be true, the effects of the actions of some of them are as disastrous as if they were evil. If every person born into difficult circumstances sowed mayhem in life, you could argue that circumstances alone made them do it. Yes, there must be brains wired more for evil than good.
Liza, your ambiguity feels very familiar to me. I want to trust in the greater good and hold optimism. And there are days when it doesn't slip through my fingers--but mostly it seems difficult to hold onto! And I agree with your friend that we can choose--and it doesn't mean that we are simplistic or ignoring or ignorant or. . . It simply means we make a choice to LOOK FOR THE GOOD. And my experience has been that it's much more difficult to WORK FOR THE GOOD when you are not really looking for it.
Anyway, thanks for another thought-provoking post.
yes, "look for the good." At least operate assuming that its there. Assume that everyone has good intentions --although not walking in the park at night should be headed, sadly. Thank you!
Being superstitious I am going to knock wood after this sentence, but I believe there’s reason for optimism. (Just knocked). I was unable to speak for a couple of days following the 2016 election, but the sleazy orange one can’t - or won’t - hide how disgusting he is - and I’m hoping those who might be inclined to vote party ticket for him will in fact vote NO. (Knocked again).
I agree (knock wood). He is getting a little outrageouly more horrible just yesterday with the comment about immigrants. and bloodbath. I feel he senses he is losing. Is that what you mean?
Exactly that, Liza. There’s been a shift. And the media is not looking away for a change.
Trust, But Organize
March 14 issue of Axios, "The day after the Oct. 7 attack on Israel by Hamas, President Biden was already talking about it as a world-altering event that could reverberate through the 21st century."
Seven and a-half months is a long time, the world as we know it could change greatly in that time.
Yes, anything can happen anytime! Think good thoughts, can’t hurt, will help — the thinker, for sure!
🤔
There is a corollary to that old bromide. It’s just as easy to fall in love with a rich man as a poor one (Anita Loos). Your apparently unsympathetic friend may have simply meant, “stop being such a bore.” Declaring that the glass is half full doesn’t double the amount of water in the glass, any more than declaring the glass half empty diminishes the actual amount of water therein. One can decide that a half glass is sufficient, however. Your cartoon family are about to find out that cars are heavier than air, and any pessimism was well-founded.
I hope your optimism about the election is more well-founded than that of the people in the car.
Too much optimism, however, can prevent one from being prepared when the worst happens... And while "...some people are just the way they are because of circumstances, and perhaps brain chemistry that is not their fault. No one is “evil” - may be true, the effects of the actions of some of them are as disastrous as if they were evil. If every person born into difficult circumstances sowed mayhem in life, you could argue that circumstances alone made them do it. Yes, there must be brains wired more for evil than good.
Love the cartoon :-)
Thank you, Carolyn. Well said, very true.
Liza, your ambiguity feels very familiar to me. I want to trust in the greater good and hold optimism. And there are days when it doesn't slip through my fingers--but mostly it seems difficult to hold onto! And I agree with your friend that we can choose--and it doesn't mean that we are simplistic or ignoring or ignorant or. . . It simply means we make a choice to LOOK FOR THE GOOD. And my experience has been that it's much more difficult to WORK FOR THE GOOD when you are not really looking for it.
Anyway, thanks for another thought-provoking post.
yes, "look for the good." At least operate assuming that its there. Assume that everyone has good intentions --although not walking in the park at night should be headed, sadly. Thank you!
A simple and important tale. Thanks for the reminder Liza!
THank you, D.L.!