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The Optimist

Blog Posted by Craig Cornish: 11/8/2024 9:11:00 AM

An optimist isn’t necessarily a blithe, slightly sappy whistler in the dark of our time. To be hopeful in bad times is not just foolishly romantic. It is based on the fact that human history is a history not only of cruelty but also of compassion, sacrifice, courage, kindness. What we choose to emphasize in this complex history will determine our lives. If we see only the worst, it destroys our capacity to do something.

If we remember those times and places–and there are so many–where people have behaved magnificently, this gives us the energy to act, and at least the possibility of sending this spinning top of a world in a different direction. And if we do act, in however small a way, we don’t have to wait for some grand utopian future. The future is an infinite succession of presents, and to live now as we think human beings should live, in defiance of all that is bad around us, is itself a marvelous victory.

-Howard Zinn

My post script is, no matter the situation, we must not look without, but within, because the smallest common denominators are the foundation all else is built upon - self, significant others, family, neighborhood, etc....don't blame, build - don't complain, contribute, and never allow yourself to be a victim. Pessimists seldom contribute anything useful except more despair...

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Kim Rodrigues

November 9, 2024 at 6:04 PM

Great blog! Don’t be a Pollyanna or do, but remember when life kicks you get back up and help others with the same compassion you are shown.

Not Golden Silence

November 9, 2024 at 5:08 AM

An optimist is a person who dreams a lot.

Charlotte Puddifoot

November 9, 2024 at 4:12 AM

you're not one of the happy-clappies are you, craig? lol i'm an optimistic pessimist in that i hope for the best but expect the worst, then i'm never disappointed ;) interestingly, in a study it was found that pessimists actually deal better with adversity than optimists, presumably because they anticipate the worst happening so are better prepared when it does..whichever camp you fall into, it's important to be your authentic self

Charlotte Puddifoot

November 9, 2024 at 8:40 AM

you're spoiling my saturday, go away and come back when you're miserable

Charlotte Puddifoot

November 9, 2024 at 5:29 AM

my faith in you is restored, can't handle a happy chappie, or a happy-clappie lol realism, yes, i like realists

Craig Cornish

November 9, 2024 at 4:35 AM

No, not a happy chappie LOL - more like you say I think, more of an optimist/realist? As you say, a sidelong glance at things, because being 100% optimist can leave you disappointed, but then a 100% optimist would say that it's okay because the negative happens for a reason, but I guess that has its level of delusion too.

Susan Ashley

November 8, 2024 at 6:32 PM

Dear Craig, your blog about cultivating optimism, especially in the face of adversity, is beautifully stated and very uplifting. In times of angst your words are a great reminder to embrace "compassion, sacrifice, courage, kindness", take positive action in our lives and reject the self-defeating pessimists. Thank you!

Keith D Trestrail

November 8, 2024 at 6:26 PM

I love that old joke: the pessimist says “things can’t get any worse”, and the optimist says “sure they can!”.

Kim Rodrigues

November 9, 2024 at 6:02 PM

Love that..lol

John Lawless

November 9, 2024 at 7:46 AM

LMAO.....I can't believe I never heard that one before...

Brandy Nicole

November 8, 2024 at 5:43 PM

Attitude is everything. Always looking at the lighter and brighter side, helps in many ways. :) Happiness comes from within and it does reflect your personality. :)

Lin Lane

November 8, 2024 at 10:19 AM

You are absolutely correct, Craig. There's nothing to be gained by having a negative outlook on any situation. It's always the aggressor who claims to be the victim. Having the right attitude can alter one's life.

James Marshall Goff

November 8, 2024 at 9:58 AM

Nice Craig! Agree...tho I fall incredibly short, I like my Guardian Angel's philosophy St Therese of Lesieux encouraged small acts of kindness, gets me out of my selfish head!

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