The Problem with Optimism
I like looking at the bright side. The cup is always half-full.
This has often times been to my detrement.
Optimism leads to excitement, motivation, FAITH... and, hey, that's all good in the hood, right? But wait.
Optimism unchecked and unbridled often times in my life have led to me to be extremely overzealous, too much of a risk taker, an over-commited person and sometimes, the maker of horrible, destructive decisons.
When all I can see is the positive, when the future appears so glorious and it appears nothing could ever go wrong, that's the time when I add the wrong investment to my stock portfolio. That's when I agree to do more for my family and friends than my schedule can take. That's when I take on a project that kills me mentally and physically.
But what's the alternative? Pessimism?
While an optimistic attitude may lead to doing too much, too fast, possibly down the wrong path all together, a pessimistic attitude is even more dangerous.
Pessimism paralyzes. If one thinks that nothing good will happen, nothing of worth will emerge from the harvest, seeds will never be sown. No effort will be taken. Sloth ensues. Progress is stifled.
So the level-headed person might come to conclude that a balance of optimism and pessimism is necessary. That at times it may be of worth to see the light and at other times the dark. To balance the two, so the best decisions and actions can be made.
Nah, lataz with dat. I'll take my optimism and run with it. Being Mr. Brightside may get me burned, sometimes-- but give me the fire of faith over the ice of negativity any day, any time.
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