We all know that there a different kinds of people in the world. Some are tall, short, fat, skinny, in between, you name it, the list could go on and on with different ways to describe people. I've thought a lot about the differences between positive, negative, optimist, pessimist, and realist. The problem with any of these, is that it is all subjective. As long as there is a human element in viewing a situation or person, subjectivity factors in. I've learned a lot about objectivity and subjectivity in learning about research paradigms, methods, etc. Some individuals highly value objectivity and strive to attain it, realizing however, that true objectivity is not possible, but something to work toward.
So, positive vs negative; optimism vs pessimist, and then contrast them all with realism. It is fairly easy to think of some people and say they are an optimist, a very positive person, and others it's pretty evident that they are more negative and pessimistic. Then there are the realists, who claim that viewing reality is neither positive or negative, reality just is. We all know we'd much rather be around people who are positive rather than people who are negative. Sometimes even positive people have a glass half empty day. Some quotes:
"Between optimist and pessimist, the difference is droll. One sees the donut, the other sees the hole."
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity. An optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."
It seems that some people just could possibly never be happy, because they are always critiquing, or judging, and not taking time or giving room for just enjoying or appreciating. I decline to agree that we are born viewing the world in a certain way. In the movie South Pacific, we learn from the song "You've got to be carefully taught" that hate and fear are learned as we grow. Our outlook in life is like that too. We are not victims of circumstance.
Do any of you know people like this?
Me: "Look at that big tree."
Other: "I've seen bigger."
Me: "Look at the colors on that tree, aren't they magnificent?"
Other: "I've seen prettier trees" or "I prefer another color."
Me: "Isn't it a beautiful day?"
Other: "It would be better if..." or "Tomorrow is supposed to be better."
So what if you've seen bigger trees, it doesn't mean you can't appreciate the view of another tree. So what if you've seen prettier trees or prefer a different color of leaves in the fall. You can still appreciate the beauty of that tree. So what if you wish something else for today or are looking for something different tomorrow. Today is the day you have to appreciate, or that tree in front of you is right there to appreciate, and you can still marvel at the size of that tree and appreciate the life it's lived. We may all wish for something different, something better, but it doesn't have to keep us from enjoying the here and now.
Here's a toast to positivism and optimism, taking your reality and seeing what's good and wonderful and magical about it.
