Optimism

Optimism is the habit of perceiving what is good in things, people, situations and projects. It is the positive vision of life.

It depends on what one calls recklessness. Lifting a foot might seem reckless, but the optimist does it and moves forward. Optimism does not aim to do reckless things, but to see the positive side of things and act accordingly.

One might think that optimists lack realism since the world has obstacles, and goals are not achieved easily. But in reality there are also positive aspects. Optimism is only unrealistic if it has no foundations.

There are human reasons for optimism, since for any pessimistic outlook one can find its opposite. For example, if one says there are many bad men, one can add that there are good ones too. If a situation is complicated, there have always been such situations. If a goal will require great effort, one can think that one has the strength for something, etc. That said, humanly speaking there are not always simple solutions.

Optimism is the most realistic stance for persons of faith. For a child of God, optimism is the reasonable attitude. It is not a matter of being irresponsible or deluded, nor of thinking that everything will go well whatever we do. It is true that there are and will be difficulties. But it is also true that God loves his children. Nothing less.

The greatest reason for pessimism for an atheist coincides with a powerful reason for Christian optimism: we are going to die. Death is absolutely real. Without doubt we will die. This reality gives rise to pessimism in those who place their goals in material things of this life. On the other hand for a Christian, death is a source of peace and serenity: we are convinced that the sufferings of this life have an end. No evil lasts a hundred years, and next comes heaven awaiting us. A heaven that is absolutely real. We are people destined for an enormous and eternal happiness. Optimism is very real.

• Train oneself to think well of others. Look for the good side of things. Congratulate on successes. (This makes it easier to see that there are successes.) Rejoice at the successes of others.
• Do not raise problems without adding possible solutions. Foster a sporting spirit of self-improvement.
• Encourage others in their failures. (Besides exercising charity, this optimism helps to look for encouraging remedies.)
• Do not see oneself as victims, but as knights — or ladies, as the case may be.
• Change one's vision of things. For example, effort is not a tremendous difficulty but an ordinary one. The best difficulties are those that depend on one's own effort. Change difficulties into challenges.