Philosophy of Optimism
From the time that we get up in the morning to the time that we go to bed at night, we are faced with a continuous line of choices. The choices may be simple ones such as which clothes we wear, what to eat for breakfast, or how to spend our free time. Our mood for the day should be one more of these choices. Happiness, sadness, optimism, and pessimism should not be determined just by external situations. We ought to choose to be optimistic.
One cannot simply choose not to make a decision in life. Not making a choice is also making a choice. Allowing our wardrobe to ebb and flow on or off our body is a ridiculous notion, yet I have often perceived the same idea heralded regarding our mood. A prime example from literature is the tragic character of Romeo. He was buffeted by each new circumstance. Calling himself "fortune's fool," he was incapable of circumventing depression, emotional pain, and eventual death because he failed to make a choice to look at his circumstances in a positive light. My attitude is one of the most important decisions I make. It determines how I feel, helps me accomplish things, and even encourages others.
To choose to be optimistic is a better choice. To be cheerful, even in the midst of hardship or difficulty, is an asset throughout all situations in life. I was the Senior Patrol Leader on a New Mexico Philmont Scout Ranch outing with my Boy Scout Troop in the summer of 2006. Several times during the hike circumstances became tough. It rained every day. The hikes were long and hot. Crew members tried to shirk duties or simply ignored responsibilities in the roster. Only after being encouraged to have a good attitude or witnessing leadership exhibiting a good attitude did the crew truly form a cohesive unit and begin to enjoy the hike. Having a cheerful outlook positively affected the troop and ultimately our entire Philmont experience.
You do not have to be happy all of the time. Depressing, rainy or grievous days do happen, but that should not prevent us from choosing to be positive. As C.S. Lewis noted, "Very often the only way to get a quality in reality is to start behaving as if you had it already." That concept applies to optimism. Simply acting optimistic on the outside allows the internal part of man to "toe the line."
In conclusion, optimism is a choice - the best choice. It is an active decision that demands deeds, but yet does not require a constant state of joy. By implementing this philosophy of conscious optimism, I can truly work to solve problems, develop relationships, and enjoy life. Winston Churchill put it best, " I am an optimist. It does not seem too much use being anything else."
One cannot simply choose not to make a decision in life. Not making a choice is also making a choice. Allowing our wardrobe to ebb and flow on or off our body is a ridiculous notion, yet I have often perceived the same idea heralded regarding our mood. A prime example from literature is the tragic character of Romeo. He was buffeted by each new circumstance. Calling himself "fortune's fool," he was incapable of circumventing depression, emotional pain, and eventual death because he failed to make a choice to look at his circumstances in a positive light. My attitude is one of the most important decisions I make. It determines how I feel, helps me accomplish things, and even encourages others.
To choose to be optimistic is a better choice. To be cheerful, even in the midst of hardship or difficulty, is an asset throughout all situations in life. I was the Senior Patrol Leader on a New Mexico Philmont Scout Ranch outing with my Boy Scout Troop in the summer of 2006. Several times during the hike circumstances became tough. It rained every day. The hikes were long and hot. Crew members tried to shirk duties or simply ignored responsibilities in the roster. Only after being encouraged to have a good attitude or witnessing leadership exhibiting a good attitude did the crew truly form a cohesive unit and begin to enjoy the hike. Having a cheerful outlook positively affected the troop and ultimately our entire Philmont experience.
You do not have to be happy all of the time. Depressing, rainy or grievous days do happen, but that should not prevent us from choosing to be positive. As C.S. Lewis noted, "Very often the only way to get a quality in reality is to start behaving as if you had it already." That concept applies to optimism. Simply acting optimistic on the outside allows the internal part of man to "toe the line."
In conclusion, optimism is a choice - the best choice. It is an active decision that demands deeds, but yet does not require a constant state of joy. By implementing this philosophy of conscious optimism, I can truly work to solve problems, develop relationships, and enjoy life. Winston Churchill put it best, " I am an optimist. It does not seem too much use being anything else."
posted by Matt Pitchford at 22:54
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