Real Optimism for 2021
I love the quote from William Arthur Ward that paints a true understanding of Optimism:
Real optimism is aware of problems but recognizes solutions; knows about the difficulties but believes that can be overcome; sees the negatives but accentuate the positive; is exposed to the worst but expect the best; has a reason to complain but chooses to smile.
I head the same approach from Simon Sinek and others who maintain a grounded belief that somehow things will work out when we stay engaged and take care of each other. This all sounds like a nice idea until a pandemic hits the world, a diagnosis includes the “c” word, or an adult child spends month after month in jail.
Some days are easier than others to live with this conviction but being engaged with life was never promised to be easy. Regardless of how badly things feel sometimes, facing the problem without trying to control it often helps. Trying to control the uncontrollable leads to the slippery slope of pride and selfish anger. Seeing the negative but accenting the positive is not spin if done honestly.
One of the most powerful things we can do is show others we fully believe they will be able to make the right decision and look back on this time from a good place in life. When we sew doubt in ourselves or others we do as much potential damage at the problem itself. I’ve walked that path and it really set me back at times last year.
On the other hand, remembering this quote gives me the freedom to not be perfect in how I practice optimism, because I am reminded that even on a bad day I can still expect the best. I may not know the answer yet, but I’ll figure it out when I need it most. And even better — it’s ultimately not my job to worry about how everything is going to turn out. Actually, it’s God’s job to handle my problems. I’ll still do my part, but fortunately, He doesn’t need my help.
Living with optimism instead of the many alternatives often takes me places I didn’t expect to go. Everyday life gives us a chance to exercise our optimism muscle that get stronger with use. My optimism muscle makes it much easier to resist complaining about being stuck in muck and choose to smile. Either way I’m in muck. I can light a candle a look for a way out or curse the muck and the darkness.
I’m going into this year with an armload of candles.
