This morning, after an argument with my husband (nothing major) I found myself grumpy and reluctant to give much more than a half-hearted smile and a mumbled "How'r you?" to the residents of the dorm I work in. As the day has worn on, I'm back to my normal cheerful self again, and damn happy to be! You see, I'm an optimist. Almost annoyingly optimistic, the kind of person who always has a counter point to anything bad that happens. I see a silver lining in every situation! But oddly, that kind of thinking doesn't carry over to people. Unless I know a person, I can be very cynical. Case in point: last year there was a resident here who just looked snobby. She rarely smiled at me, and always seemed to be bustling off in a hurry with either her iPod or cell phone blaring in her ear. Without attempting to get to know her, I just settled for a passive dislike. Before winter break that year, I came to work and found an envelope in my mailbox from this same girl. Inside was a $50 bill and a card that told me to have a happy Christmas and to spend it on whatever my family might need!! Of all the people this girl could have spent that money on for the holidays, she gave it to me out of the kindness of her heart. Since then we talk every time she comes by. She's a wonderful person! So I'm making a resolution today: I will do my best to let my optimism for life carry over to people. I will not assume the worst or write people off based on superficial contact. And I will smile and happily help anyone who needs it, regardless of their attitude at the time - we all have bad days. Whew! Glad I have that out in public now. Makes it feel official. If you read all of this . . . wow, thanks! You must be really bored! LOL Much love, ~*BA*~
Giving people the benefit of the doubt can lead to being repeatedly let down. But it's still better than thinking the worst of people for no apparent reason.
that's cool. I tend to have an overly rosey view of people. I just have faith that, whatever's going on deep inside, most people are genuinely trying and really are feeling and searching for the same things... peace love and all of that. It's just that not everybody looks for it in the same place.
That's an awesome story and being optimistic, no matter the downfall is always better than constantly being pessimistic. Pessimists tell themselves they can't. Optimists ask themselves how they can. Makes a big difference in philosophy and life.
I am optimistic too, it seems like a lot of people aren't. But I think thats the way to be happy and content. I try to see the good to everything and I think it puts positivity in the world which is what the world needs. A few times people have told I just have a good energy about me so people will sense your optimistic energy.
I don't try to see the good in everything. Just potential and opportunity. Looking for the same things, really. Just looking at them differently.
I too am an optimist. I have gone through some serious crap in my life, but have maintained a level of optimism and look for the lesson I'm to learn from every tragedy. I am happy to hear your resolution, and will join you in doing so! Let's try to see the same good in the people around us as in the situations we encounter!
Haha! Thanks for the replies guys. And believe me, I have my melancholy, hate-the-world moments too. I'm not all sunshine and rainbows, it's just that 6 out of 7 days of the week I'm a fairly chipper person! And don't worry, this doesn't extend to blindly trusting eveeryone. I've still got a healthy dose of skepticism to keep me levelheaded. I'm just not going to assume the worst right off the bat.
