Optimism: perspectives on hope and positive outlook

¶ … Optimism [...] whether I see the glass half-full or half empty. I am an optimist and I live my life trying to see the good in people and in situations. I am an optimist because I am positive and I believe when you see things positively, you help manifest good things in your life and the lives of those around you.

First, I am a very positive person. I have friends who are quite negative and when bad things happen to them they seem to think they had it coming, or it was only to be expected. I do not feel that way at all. Of course, bad things have happened to me in my life, but I have found they have turned out for the best. Take my son for example. I never planned to be a single mom, believe me. However, my son is now the light of my life and I would do anything for him. I love him more than I ever thought possible, and bless the day he was born. Having a child as a single mom could have been a very negative experience, but I have made it a positive experience because I am a positive person.

I am lighthearted and caring, and I think this helps me remain optimistic in life. I come from a caring and close family, and I think this has helped me be more of an optimist. I am lighthearted, but practical, and I care about others. I think compassion is very important in being an optimist. You cannot see the best in a situation unless you can understand yourself and others, and compassion for others helps you develop a feeling and a caring about others and their needs. I know many people who simply do not care about other people. Their own needs are all that matters to them, and other people's feelings and desires do not interest them at all. I cannot be like that, and I do not want to be. I do not put others' needs and wants above my own, but I do try to be understanding and caring of others. I think that caring about others also comes back to you and enriches your life in many untold and unknown ways.

I have a good sense of humor. I think you have to learn to laugh at yourself to be successful in life, and I think you have to laugh at what life throws you. I think having a good sense of humor helps me look at life more optimistically, and helps me get through tough times. Some of my more pessimistic friends seem to revel in the bad things that happen to them. They mope, they complain, and they definitely do not see humor in the situation. I have a friend who cannot laugh at herself no matter what. She does some pretty silly things, like putting on makeup while she drives. She is really defensive about it, and cannot look at what she does and admit it might be wrong, or funny to others. She does not have much of a sense of humor about herself or others, and I think that may be one reason she always seems so dissatisfied with her life and the things that happen to her.

A love nature and the outdoors, and I think it helps keep me grounded. I love the outdoors and hiking. When things bother me, if I can, I go hiking and let the beauty of nature wash away my doubts and anxiety. I think it is very hard to be pessimistic when you are enjoying the beauty of a secluded wood or sunset on the beach. I love the outdoors, and it always makes me realize how insignificant my complaints are when I compare them with the complexities of nature. I love the animals, the plants, and the fresh air I encounter when I hike, and it makes everything and anything seem possible to me.