Optimism

We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.

Oscar Wilde

We were at the Botanic Gardens Monet Pool enjoying the tranquility surrounding us, when, suddenly, clouds covered the sun and fat drops of rain began to hit the water with a big splash. Behind the clouds, the sun’s reflection shone in the pool. So, here’s my question. When you look at this photo, do you see clouds covering the sun or the sun coming through the clouds? It’s the old glass half full or half empty idiom.

I tend to be optimistic about life’s challenging situations. I see them as something temporary. One definition of hope is a feeling of trust. We believe things will improve. Faith helps us find our way.

I recently read a survey that said by the age of seventy optimism declines. That has not been my experience. As I become older, I feel more optimistic about challenges. Possibly, because I’ve seen so many difficult situations turn out okay. I still have my moments of despair. They’re just easier to get past and move on.

As I’ve mentioned before, another factor in my outlook might be that I don’t see the universe as out to get me. I don’t believe God is punishing me for past sins. Many times the negative events I experience are, at least some of the time, of my own doing. So, if I created the situation, with any luck, I should be able to fix it.

Growing up, I was not allowed to wallow in self -pity. “Where there’s a will there’s a way.”, my grandmother would tell me. Move on. Find a solution. At the time, I has not happy with this line of thought. Now, I see it helped me acquire the tools I needed to cope. Life is not always easy. We have to get through it. There is no other choice.