Are you an optimist or a pessimist ?

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My favorite quote is "A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty" - Sir Winston Churchill


Every day we are faced with situations and challenges, either in our own thought process or by those you interact with. But, are they actually "challenges" or "opportunities"? A difficult situation that seems like a negative could actually be an opportunity to learn, grow or see things in a different light!



So what differentiates a difficulty to be an opportunity? You, and only you....it is purely your perspective and attitude that will allow a difficult situation to become an opportunity. I believe that every situation is intended to be just that. If you lost your job, is it possible that there is an opportunity to find a more suitable job for you? If you lost a friendship, is it possible that there is an opportunity to spend your time with more quality people that are worthy of your friendship If your car breaks down on the highway, and your life goes "on hold" to deal with that, is it possible that it is an opportunity to experience the kindness of a stranger to help?


It is the moments of our life, and the difficulties we face, that are intended to guide us to a better life.



Although NONE of us can predict what lies ahead, we can all agree that life is FULL of "difficulties". If you view them as that, versus the opportunity that you may have to gain from that experience, it could be a spiral down motion. I prefer the spiral up motion, and I thank the challenges I have (and will) be faced with.....BRING IT ON !
  • Profile picture of the author Ernie Lo
    Neither I'm a realist. I predict a terrible terrible world. Not my ideal situation, but at least it won't be boring.
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    • Profile picture of the author Valerie Mitchell
      Ernie !! You cannot "predict" a terrible world....you can only create one! You are fortunate to have 10 (or even less) fingers to type with....you DO know that, right?
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      • Profile picture of the author MissTerraK
        I can't decide if I'm optimistically pessimistic or pessimistically optimistic. :confused:

        Terra
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      • Profile picture of the author Ernie Lo
        Originally Posted by Valerie Mitchell View Post

        Ernie !! You cannot "predict" a terrible world....you can only create one! You are fortunate to have 10 (or even less) fingers to type with....you DO know that, right?
        I sure can predict a terrible world by paying attention to the past and present. Now does a terrible world mean you have to lead a terrible life? No of course not. You just need to avoid the system as much as possible and follow your passions. So no I'm not giving up on life but I've given up on society and the "powers that be" that are suppose to be looking out for us.

        There's a lot of pain to come, maybe its going to step up in late July we'll see what happens...
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  • Profile picture of the author thunderbird
    I'm not an optimist. Never took even a single course on eyesight. I'm not familiar with what the pessimist profession is -- something to do with fish, like pescado?
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  • Profile picture of the author Dan Riffle
    Hope for the best. Prepare for the worst, I say.

    I guess that ultimately makes me a pessimist.

    I'd love to be an optimist, but it'd probably never work out for me.
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  • Profile picture of the author TLTheLiberator
    I'm a type O.



    TL
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    • Profile picture of the author ThomM
      Both. Which I guess would make me sort of a realist also.
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  • Profile picture of the author Joseph Robinson
    Banned
    I'm a realist with optimist leanings.
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    • Profile picture of the author Dennis Gaskill
      Originally Posted by Valerie Mitchell View Post

      Ernie !! You cannot "predict" a terrible world....you can only create one!
      While I agree with most of what you said in your original post, I can't agree with that statement. I can predict all kinds of things that I didn't create, for example, hundreds of people will be murdered today in acts of war, greed, hatred, etc. Pretty good chance that prediction will come true, but I didn't create that world.

      There's a difference between creating our own reality and predicting a reality outside of our control.

      Originally Posted by Joe Robinson View Post

      I'm a realist with optimist leanings.
      I'm an optimist with realistic leanings.
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  • Profile picture of the author Jonathan 2.0
    Banned
    If I had to choose I would say optimist.
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    "Each problem has hidden in it an opportunity so powerful that it literally dwarfs the problem. The greatest success stories were created by people who recognized a problem and turned it into an opportunity."―Joseph Sugarman
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    • Profile picture of the author Daniel Evans
      Optimist.

      It's too easy to play it the other way. The mind does that by default.
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  • Profile picture of the author lcombs
    Well, to quote "The Secret":
    "Thoughts become things."

    The power of positive thinking can produce positive results.
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    • Profile picture of the author Jonathan 2.0
      Banned
       
      Good point lcombs. : )

      Something else I've noticed after becoming more positive/optimistic is that I enjoy a happier "head space."
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      "Each problem has hidden in it an opportunity so powerful that it literally dwarfs the problem. The greatest success stories were created by people who recognized a problem and turned it into an opportunity."―Joseph Sugarman
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  • Profile picture of the author alivestock
    i still dont know that what i am but i try my best to do good for me and others.
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  • Profile picture of the author HeySal
    Extreme optimism is a dangerous state of mind. Many optimists think that being optimistic means ignoring or completely denying anything negative. It's not. You have to see things as they really are so you can work to achieve the positive. Look at all the people who denied that the US was becoming a fascist regime. They allowed it to progress in that direction - while realists were working to turn it around, and could have used some help from the optimists who refused to look because they think seeing negativity is the same as being a pessimist or will bring them off their little happy highs.

    Realism - see things the way they are, and work to make them positive experiences.
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    Sal
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    • Profile picture of the author Jonathan 2.0
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      Originally Posted by HeySal View Post

      Realism - see things the way they are, and work to make them positive experiences.
      Optimism - Seeing that, actually, many things _are_ positive experiences.
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      "Each problem has hidden in it an opportunity so powerful that it literally dwarfs the problem. The greatest success stories were created by people who recognized a problem and turned it into an opportunity."―Joseph Sugarman
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      • Profile picture of the author Ernie Lo
        Originally Posted by Jonathan 2.0 View Post

        Optimism - Seeing that, actually, many things _are_ positive experiences.
        Realist- Seeing things for how they really and speaking out about them, so we still get to enjoy those positive experiences before they are taken away from us.
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        • Profile picture of the author Jonathan 2.0
          Banned
          Hi Ernie. I was speaking generally. I don't know anything about American or World politics.
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          "Each problem has hidden in it an opportunity so powerful that it literally dwarfs the problem. The greatest success stories were created by people who recognized a problem and turned it into an opportunity."―Joseph Sugarman
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          • Profile picture of the author HeySal
            Originally Posted by Jonathan 2.0 View Post

            Hi Ernie. I was speaking generally. I don't know anything about American or World politics.
            And how you react to what is happening in the world is not a major part of optimism/pessimism? We've had people "optimistic" us right into being the country with the most incarcerated per capita in the world. Once you are arrested and thrown in jail for some moot trivia, how well do you think "optimism" will serve you? If you find you are very ill - how well does optimism help to cure you if you don't take a realistic look and work to heal yourself?

            The word "optimism" seems to be taken to mean that things happen on their own. Oh - yes, millions just died, but look at the OPPORTUNITY it provides me to make a buck. No - reality is a preference. Look at what is being done. We can stop it right now because things will NOT go well if we don't. My opportunities will become limited.

            You don't just happy happy into opportunity. That idea is why people fail. Yes there are opportunities all over the place - and no matter what happens there will be opportunities even though the nature of them change depending on happenstance, and the path we must take to get to them will also fork a few times.

            The secret was not a complete mystic guide to success. At points it was not even correct. People need to get over it - it was MARKETING. There are good ideas in there, but the whole world does not beat a path to your door just because you are grinning like an idiot during bad times. If energies aren't in harmony, no amount of grinning and thinking happy thoughts will change your world for the better. You might temporarily fool yourself into thinking things will all go right.

            To see opportunities, you need to carefully assess reality - if opportunity is available, grab it, if not correct the areas that are going wrong so that opportunities will be there - and then take advantage of the ones that open up to you. Opportunities do not just arise because you are happy as hell - you have to deal with things as they are to make them appear.
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            Sal
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            • Profile picture of the author Jonathan 2.0
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              Some interesting points. Thanks HeySal.
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              "Each problem has hidden in it an opportunity so powerful that it literally dwarfs the problem. The greatest success stories were created by people who recognized a problem and turned it into an opportunity."―Joseph Sugarman
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            • Profile picture of the author MissTerraK
              LOL Sal!

              Originally Posted by HeySal View Post

              just because you are grinning like an idiot during bad times. If energies aren't in harmony, no amount of grinning and thinking happy thoughts will change your world for the better. You might temporarily fool yourself into thinking things will all go right.
              That part right there made me envision Simple Simon from the old 30's cartoon.


              Terra
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              • Profile picture of the author Jonathan 2.0
                Banned
                Nothing wrong with greeting “bad times” with a smile.
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                "Each problem has hidden in it an opportunity so powerful that it literally dwarfs the problem. The greatest success stories were created by people who recognized a problem and turned it into an opportunity."―Joseph Sugarman
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                • Profile picture of the author MissTerraK
                  No there isn't anything wrong with that, Jonathan. I've been known to do that a time or two.

                  It was the grinning like an idiot part that got me.

                  Terra
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                  • Profile picture of the author Jonathan 2.0
                    Banned
                    Well I can't relate to that so ...
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                    • Profile picture of the author MissTerraK
                      Originally Posted by Jonathan 2.0 View Post

                      Well I can't relate to that so ...
                      That's because you're not a Simple Simon.

                      Terra
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                      • Profile picture of the author Jonathan 2.0
                        Banned
                        Originally Posted by MissTerraK View Post

                        That's because you're not a Simple Simon.

                        Terra
                        Lol. Well OK. Just don't tell anyone.

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                        • Profile picture of the author MissTerraK
                          Originally Posted by Jonathan 2.0 View Post

                          Lol. Well OK. Just don't tell anyone.

                          Our secret to keep, lol.

                          Terra
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                          • Profile picture of the author Jonathan 2.0
                            Banned
                            Originally Posted by MissTerraK View Post

                            Our secret to keep, lol.

                            Terra
                            *Pinky Swear*
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          • Profile picture of the author Ernie Lo
            Originally Posted by Jonathan 2.0 View Post

            Hi Ernie. I was speaking generally. I don't know anything about American or World politics.
            Hi Jonathon this doesn't need to apply only to "politics could be for anything in your life.

            I'm sure there are certain rules/laws that have come to pass that you don't like. Maybe you are sick of the sexualised TV content and don't want your kids watching TV anymore. (lets just presume you have kids for this example).

            Now a realist would say that TV is poor viewing these days and limit the time they let their children watch TV or bann it all together AND speak out about it in order to try and make a change albeit maybe not very effectively. This is a person being real and understanding the decline of TV and how much it has changed for the worse. They don't want their kids watching rap/rmb/pop music filled with sexual content, swearing, and showing off material possessions, partying 24/7 etc. Maybe they have teens and dont want them watching too many reality TV shows.

            A optimist might on the other hand bury their head in the sand and ignore their internal dialog and keep letting their kids watching these music videos with practically half naked girls or poor language. They may say "oh its not that bad, all the other parents let their kids watch this".

            Now is the realist being a negative pessimist nancy or are they just being real? Well people can have their opinions but I see the change on TV compared to 20 years ago and I see the change in how children dress and act. To think watching sexualised TV content daily has no influence on children/humans is being too optimistic

            Meh hopefully that made sense...I just woke up
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  • Profile picture of the author DWaters
    I have an older brother who is a complete pessimist and I see what a complete mess he has made of his life ~~~ seeing this actually helps me be optimistic at all times!
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  • Profile picture of the author Dennis Gaskill
    This is an excerpt from an article I wrote for my newsletter several years ago. It seemed appropriate. In this instance, consider "optimism" and "positive thinking" as the same thing.
    Positive thinking isn't wishful thinking. It's about having a can-do attitude and an inner belief that if you do your part to the best of your abilities, good things will generally happen for you. It may not be as you expect or hope for, but you know the payoff will come.

    Create a more positive thought life and you'll take more positive actions that result in more positive results. That's what positive thinking is about -- it doesn't mean you'll never fail, it means believing you can succeed.

    Positive thinking isn't about seeing everything through rose-colored glasses or denying negative realities. A positive thinker can see the negative, we are not living in denial, but we choose not to add to the negativity. Optimally, we choose to be a positive force in all we do.
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  • Profile picture of the author sitifatimah
    I always try to be optimistic, it should always be positive so that the actions were thinking that I do have a positive result. although it does not mean I never pessimistic, as a human being I've been there, but it was not meant to be soluble in these conditions, but I always try to get up from whatever it is heavy the issue that I care for my family and I are proud ..
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  • Profile picture of the author nouvellevie
    I think it is better to be a bit of all but mostly a realist. a half full or empty glass of water dont change the quantity
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  • Profile picture of the author Doran Peck
    There is no such thing as a realist.

    An optimist sees a reality one way, the pessimist sees it another way.

    An optimist will react to his reality differently than a pessimist, because each sees different things...be they opportunities, or risk.

    So to say you are a realist, is pointless. Whether you like it or not, more often than not, your personality will tend to favor one over the other. Pessimism or optimism.
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    • Profile picture of the author Dennis Gaskill
      Originally Posted by Doran Peck View Post

      There is no such thing as a realist.

      An optimist sees a reality one way, the pessimist sees it another way.

      An optimist will react to his reality differently than a pessimist, because each sees different things...be they opportunities, or risk.

      So to say you are a realist, is pointless. Whether you like it or not, more often than not, your personality will tend to favor one over the other. Pessimism or optimism.
      Pfft. Your words may apply to you, but that's all.

      We all perceive reality differently. However, where an optimist and pessimist may react, a realist chooses their response. Reaction is based in impulse, response is based in thoughtful choice. A realist choose response over reaction. We do not have to be ruled by impulse/ego as your words suggest.

      Being an optimist, pessimist, or realist ... it's all a matter of choice. A pessimist wasn't born that way, it's a learned behavior. That behavior can be changed with a change of thinking. Impulsiveness can be overcome with thoughtfulness.

      A realist can have negative tendencies or positive tendencies, but has the presence of mind to choose the best response. This is the essence of being a realist.
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      • Profile picture of the author Jonathan 2.0
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        Sometimes I think people confuse "realism" with "pessimism." I could be wrong though. I have a lot to learn.
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      • Profile picture of the author Doran Peck
        Originally Posted by Dennis Gaskill View Post

        Pfft. Your words may apply to you, but that's all.

        We all perceive reality differently. However, where an optimist and pessimist may react, a realist chooses their response. Reaction is based in impulse, response is based in thoughtful choice. A realist choose response over reaction. We do not have to be ruled by impulse/ego as your words suggest.

        Being an optimist, pessimist, or realist ... it's all a matter of choice. A pessimist wasn't born that way, it's a learned behavior. That behavior can be changed with a change of thinking. Impulsiveness can be overcome with thoughtfulness.

        A realist can have negative tendencies or positive tendencies, but has the presence of mind to choose the best response. This is the essence of being a realist.
        But who's to say what the "best" response is? Best, according to who or what? There will always be someone who regards your best response as falling way short of its potential...or someone who looks at your choice as exceeding all possibilities. Its all dependent upon perspective.

        The way the term realist is being thrown around its almost as if all realists should view the world the exact same way...the "real" way....without the filtered judgement of having optimistic tendencies, or pessimistic tendencies.

        Unfortunately you will find that if we put all the realists in this thread in the same room...not a one of you would be on the same page across the board.

        and why? ...because each of you, and your "realism" is being influenced by the tug and pull of pessimism and optimism...You just seem to be blissfully unaware of it

        I understand what you mean by realist, I do. I think most of us are "realists", as you say, in the sense that, with certain things, we might tend to approach it pessimistically, like thigns we suck at, or fear, with certain other things or situations we proceed optimistically such as things we have a passion for, or know alot about and have a high comfort level with.

        But I think the whole argument is that one or the other tends to be dominant more often than not.

        Some of the realists in this thread have offered snipets of real life examples, of a "realist" ...well for the most part what I'm reading comes across as a clearly pessimistic viewpoint of things.

        now I know, one paragraph does not define the whole personallity of a person...but...these things were the first offerings of insight...the first choice to illustrate the meaning of realism...only to be noticeably laced with pessimism...might that suggest then, that a deeper look reveals a dominant pessimistic traight for those individuals?

        I think it does.

        and it can go either way. P or O

        Just have to dig deeper
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        • Profile picture of the author Dennis Gaskill
          Doran,

          We'll probably end up agreeing to disagree on this one.

          Originally Posted by Doran Peck View Post

          But who's to say what the "best" response is? Best, according to who or what? There will always be someone who regards your best response as falling way short of its potential...or someone who looks at your choice as exceeding all possibilities. Its all dependent upon perspective.
          It doesn't matter what anyone else thinks. We don't live inside someone else's perspective. Being a realist is, in part, about overcoming our reactionary responses and choosing the best response within our own reality. We can't choose the best response within someone elses reality.

          There is no concensus on what reality is, and can't be. Realism isn't dependent upon a concensus when we're talking about personal reality. A realist can only be a realist within his or her own personal reality.

          ... your "realism" is being influenced by the tug and pull of pessimism and optimism...You just seem to be blissfully unaware of it
          That sounds reasonable on the surface, but let's look deeper.

          Everyone's reality is influenced by their programming, experiences, emotions, ideals, intelligence, culture, belief system, health, desires, and a host of other things. Optimism and pessimism are only symptoms of these influences, they are not causative.

          We're all unaware of many, if not most, of the things that influence us at any given time ... but we are not powerless, and need not be subservient to them. I would say realists are more aware of these influences than those who live a reactionary life. After all, we are truth seekers, and a necessary compontent of realism is introspection. We cannot claim to be true realists if we are not honest with ourselves.

          That "tug and pull of pessimism and optimism" as you called it, is more influencial with those who live a reactionary life. Responding through thoughtful choice is to minimize those tugs and pulls as much as possible. Those who do not do that would be the blissfully unaware, not the realists.

          But I think the whole argument is that one or the other tends to be dominant more often than not.
          One or the other can indeed be more dominant, and that will influence the reactionist to a much greater degree than a realist. A true realist has a more balanced approach to life, considering the positive and negative in order to arrive at a more informed conclusion, decision, or course of action.

          Some of the realists in this thread have offered snipets of real life examples, of a "realist" ...well for the most part what I'm reading comes across as a clearly pessimistic viewpoint of things.
          ..."comes across" is the key phrase in that comment. To that I can only say that is your perception of their reality, and trying to judge someone else's reality is risky proposition at best.

          Just have to dig deeper
          Sometimes when we dig too deep into someone elses world we only end up in a hole.
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  • Profile picture of the author nouvellevie
    I like your reply Dennis
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  • Profile picture of the author dhelms23
    I don't see how you can be a pessimist and an entrepreneur. If you want to succeed in business, you've got to be optimistic. What you're optimistic about is a whole different ball game.
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  • Profile picture of the author bibs
    I can't say if I'm more of a pessimist or a realist. Sometimes, I ask myself why I can't think the way optimists do? On the other hand, I like being a pessimist because it makes me think of other options on how to face a certain situation. I hope I'm making sense. Lol.
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  • Profile picture of the author HeySal
    The optimist is the dude that leaves his dog in the car on a hot day and expects it to be alive when he returns.
    The pessimist believes the dog is doomed and does nothing to prevent its demise.
    The realist figures out how to get the dog out of the car and does so before it dies. The realists are always left to clean up after both the optimist and the pessimist.
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    • Profile picture of the author MissTerraK
      Well, this conversation certainly has gotten interesting, lol!

      What I gather from reading the responses on being a realist, a realist sounds as though they are the only ones with common sense and wisdom. I'm not quite sure I agree with that though.

      Anyway, I came across this quote and was wondering where the realist would fit in this scenario, in your opinion.

      "Both optimists and pessimists contribute to our society. The optimist invents the airplane and the pessimist the parachute." - Gil Stern
      Terra
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      • Profile picture of the author myob
        Originally Posted by MissTerraK View Post

        I came across this quote and was wondering where the realist would fit in this scenario

        "Both optimists and pessimists contribute to our society. The optimist invents the airplane and the pessimist the parachute." - Gil Stern
        "A realist wears ze parachute when flying in ze airplane."
        - Manfred von Richthofen
        (the Red Baron)
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  • Profile picture of the author Dan Riffle
    The discussion of realists is drifting into stoicism:
    Stoicism - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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  • Profile picture of the author Doran Peck
    Dennis,

    I think to say that some people live reactionary lives and some don't is way off base.
    Everyone is reactionary at times. Everone...without exception. ...but reaction is merely a description of a type of choice.

    It seems to me that everyone is a choice based creature. Period. There is nothing else.

    Reaction can't manifiest itself in any form until a choice is made. So choice supercedes reaction. Thus we are all living choice based lives.

    But what influences those choices?


    Everything you are describing to me...comes from your perspective....and your perspective, and how you see things is influenced by something whether you think it is or not.

    We've assigned a name for that generality.....Pessimistic or Optimistic

    ...well and maybe there is a third one which I hear from my wife alot...idiocy lol
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    • Profile picture of the author Dennis Gaskill
      Doran,

      Since you've chosen to infer I've said things that I haven't said, and are making points of what I already said as if you are introducing new information, I decided to make this real simple.

      Here's a dictionary description of a realist:

      noun: a person who accepts the world as it literally is and deals with it accordingly
      I guess somebody forgot to remove that from the dictionary after you proclaimed there's no such thing. :rolleyes:
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      • Profile picture of the author Steven Wagenheim
        I haven't read this whole thread but judging by some of the replies, maybe it's
        best I don't.

        I'm a realistic optimist. I hope for the best but I prepare for the reality of life.

        I don't however, go through my life thinking "Oh my God, I just know tomorrow is
        gonna suck."

        I've had good things happen to me in my life and I've had bad things happen to
        me in my life...just like most people. Sure, some people have it harder than
        others and it's tough for them to be optimistic at all. Others seem to have the
        world at their feet.

        But you know what? Those people who seem to have the world at their feet
        have, or will have problems too. Nobody is indestructible of immune to bad
        things. Everybody will get sick. Everybody will lose loved ones, unless they
        are truly alone in this world.

        At some point in everybody's life, they're going to have a day that was
        worse than the day before...by a lot.

        I'm grateful for every single day. But I also understand that tomorrow holds
        no guarantees.

        So you can call me whatever you like.

        Labels don't really matter in the end.
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  • Profile picture of the author garyv
    "Both optimists and pessimists contribute to our society. The optimist invents the airplane and the pessimist the parachute." - Gil Stern
    The pessimist invents the parachute, but only the optimist will be brave enough to use it.
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  • Profile picture of the author Doran Peck
    Well I guess we will just have to agree to disagree for the most part.

    I simply can't accept that it is possible for you or me to be in a state where we could be 100% objective about something, completely devoid of pessimistic or optimistic subjectiveness. ...except maybe when we were 3yrs old perhaps...but once the waters been peed in thats it there's no going back. Once P & O get their hooks in, we are forever influenced by them, in some way or other, at all times.

    I still hold that if "realism" was a valid mindset at the same level as P & O, then ALL realists would view the world, or any situation, in the same way, because the world is happening in one real way, and the realists clearly see it for what it is, right?

    Yet you contend that not all realists do? ...well...ok...what is it then that differentiates one realist from another?

    I'll tell you...optimistic and pessimistic tendencies

    Yes...most of us are capable of being in either mode from time to time, in given circumstances or moving through certain choices. I agree with you...and I understand that it is one of the defining characteristics of your "realist".

    In my mind..."realist" isn't the lowest common multiplier, so to speak....it can be broken down further...and called P & O.

    I'm just saying...as versatile as your mind and personality can be...you still tend to gravitate to one or the other more often than not. and THATS what they mean when they ask the quesion are you an optimist or a pessimist.

    If I had to gauge myself I'd say my tendency is toward optimism more often than not.

    Do I have healthy episodes of pessimism and cynisism and other isms...yes from time to time.

    But I know that my underlying tendency is toward optimism...so I label myself an optimist

    If you had to take a guess at your underlying tendency, what would it be?

    Pessimists are certain they see the world as it really is
    Optimists are certain they see the world as it really is
    Realists are certain they see the world as it really is
    ...and they're all right.
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    • Profile picture of the author Dennis Gaskill
      Originally Posted by Doran Peck View Post

      Well I guess we will just have to agree to disagree for the most part.
      Agreed. But since you asked some questions and have once again made incorrect inferences, let me correct them and answer you.

      By the way, I changed my answer on the first page before I saw this. I was trying to avoid having a conversation like this, where I have to deal with your imaginative interpretations of what I said. So this will end it for me unless I'm provoked into a response.

      I simply can't accept that it is possible for you or me to be in a state where we could be 100% objective about something, completely devoid of pessimistic or optimistic subjectiveness.
      See, this is the kind of thing I'm talking about. Show me where I said that. I didn't. That's one of your strawmen.

      Here's what I really said: "Responding through thoughtful choice is to minimize those tugs and pulls (reactionary impulses) as much as possible." Doesn't mean we are never reactionary or are always thoughtful. Doesn't mean an optimist or pessimist is never a realist. What it does mean is that we make a conscious and consistent effort not to be ruled by impulse. Everyone has a degree of pessimism in them, and optimism, and realism. A realist just chooses the latter as his or her preferred world view.

      I still hold that if "realism" was a valid mindset at the same level as P & O, then ALL realists would view the world, or any situation, in the same way, because the world is happening in one real way, and the realists clearly see it for what it is, right?
      Really? Then why aren't all optimists optimistic about the same things? Why don't all pessimists agree on everything? For the same reason all realists don't have the same world view...

      We view the world according to our interpretation of reality, which I previously said was influenced by our "programming, experiences, emotions, ideals, intelligence, culture, belief system, health, desires, and a host of other things." This is well known science.

      Since all those things are unique to each individual, there can be no universal interpretation of reality from a human perspective. That doesn't mean we can't be a realist within our own understanding. You seem to be confusing realism with divine reality.

      In my mind..."realist" isn't the lowest common multiplier, so to speak....it can be broken down further...and called P & O.
      Common multiplier? If you're looking for the lowest common denominator we'd have to go back through the evolutionary chain and talk about our reptile brain, because we still have that influencing us.

      I'm just saying...as versatile as your mind and personality can be...you still tend to gravitate to one or the other more often than not. and THATS what they mean when they ask the quesion are you an optimist or a pessimist
      First, whether one gravitates toward one or the other doesn't have a lot of bearing on whether or not one can be a realist. Life isn't made of neat little slots like that. Part of being a realist is to be able to overcome those impulses in favor of the most appropriate response we can determine.

      Secondly, that's your interpretation of the question. If I ask you if 1+1 equals 5 or 9 are you going to choose either 5 or 9 because that's what I asked, or are you going to give what you believe is the correct answer?

      The question wasn't a poll. I think the spirit of the question is about our outlook on life, and realist is more appropriate for me than optimist or pessimist.

      That's another strawman though. We were never talking about what the question meant, we were discussing your statement as to whether there is such a thing as a realist.
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      • Profile picture of the author Steven Wagenheim
        While I love Dennis' answer, for me, optimist, pessimist and realist come down
        to these definitions if you really want to be nit picky about what each one
        truly is.

        Optimist - Nothing bad is going to happen. My mind is made up that the outcome
        will be good.

        Pessimist - Doesn't matter what I do. It's going to turn out bad.

        Realist - Sometimes things turn out good and sometimes they don't. My goal is
        to try to do what I can within my power to tilt the outcome towards the
        positive.

        Those are MY definitions or mantra for each. Doesn't mean they're going to be
        the same for you or for anybody else. Doesn't matter as there is no one
        definition that clearly fits for each person. Each individual fits his own
        definition into their own experience and sphere of reality.

        You may not agree with me, but you have NO right to tell me I'm wrong.

        The above comment meant directly to mister "I don't believe anybody can
        be a realist all the time" or whatever your warped interpretation is that you
        feel you have to impose on everybody else.

        All that matters to me is how I live my life.

        Believe it, don't believe it, don't make a hill of beans difference to me.
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  • Profile picture of the author Kurt
    Sorry people, but "realism" doesn't fit into the discussion.

    First, the OP gave two choices: Optimist or pessimist. "Realist" wasn't one of them. That's the reality.

    Second, "realist" doesn't fit with the other two choices. Saying you are a "realist" when the choice is between the two given is like replying:

    I'm American...When asked if you are tall or short.

    Or, you like 4 when asked if you prefer red or blue.

    And, the definitions of realist don't fit with optimist or pessimist. I suggest folks google "realist" and find out the reality of the word.

    Here's two "real" things:

    A. We live in a violent world.

    B. Studies by researchers find we are now living in the least violent times in recorded human history. Fewer people per capita are being killed in wars and murdered than any other time. Violent crime in the US is down, despite us being in a long recession. This is virtually unheard of...

    We can choose which we want to focus on, but both are "reality", although a case can be made that "A" is an opinion, while "B" is factual.

    I choose to focus on "B", because it makes me feel better. And chosing to focus on "B" doesn't mean I'm in denial of "A".
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    • Profile picture of the author Steven Wagenheim
      Originally Posted by Kurt View Post

      Sorry people, but "realism" doesn't fit into the discussion.

      First, the OP gave two choices: Optimist or pessimist. "Realist" wasn't one of them. That's the reality.

      Second, "realist" doesn't fit with the other two choices. Saying you are a "realist" when the choice is between the two given is like replying:

      I'm American...When asked if you are tall or short.

      Or, you like 4 when asked if you prefer red or blue.

      And, the definitions of realist don't fit with optimist or pessimist. I suggest folks google "realist" and find out the reality of the word.

      Here's two "real" things:

      A. We live in a violent world.

      B. Studies by researchers find we are now living in the least violent times in recorded human history. Fewer people per capita are being killed in wars and murdered than any other time. Violent crime in the US is down, despite us being in a long recession. This is virtually unheard of...

      We can choose which we want to focus on, but both are "reality", although a case can be made that "A" is an opinion, while "B" is factual.

      I choose to focus on "B", because it makes me feel better. And chosing to focus on "B" doesn't mean I'm in denial of "A".
      Good point Kurt. So I guess the answer to the question for me should have
      been neither, although I do consider myself a realistic optimist.

      Maybe somebody should post a dictionary definition somewhere in this thread.

      That might clear some of this up.
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    • Profile picture of the author Dennis Gaskill
      Originally Posted by Kurt View Post

      Sorry people, but "realism" doesn't fit into the discussion.

      First, the OP gave two choices: Optimist or pessimist. "Realist" wasn't one of them. That's the reality.
      Here's another reality. This is a discussion forum. The conversation is dynamic and evolves in many unintended directions and side conversations, your literalist interpretation notwithstanding. The idea of "realist" was introduced in the second post. Flow happens.

      I don't see the OP objecting to the flow. If she wanted her question interpreted so narrowly should could have started a poll.
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      • Profile picture of the author Kurt
        Originally Posted by Dennis Gaskill View Post

        Here's another reality. This is a discussion forum. The conversation is dynamic and evolves in many unintended directions and side conversations, your literalist interpretation notwithstanding. The idea of "realist" was introduced in the second post. Flow happens.
        Yep it does, and going with the flow, all your comments about "realism" are inaccurate, as you are changing the definition of the word.

        And, I spent more time discussing the definition of the word than I did pointing out the OPs question.

        In the context of the discussion, Doran was correct that "realism" doesn't fit, no matter how you try to spin it with your definition of "literalist interpretation ". The correct phrase would be "accurate interpretation".

        That's the reality, sorry reality doesn't fit your your comments.

        And more "flow"...It's an interesting human reality that we will find ways to try to make us "correct" instead of saying "good point" and accepting we were wrong. I guess that's the optimist in us all.
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        • Profile picture of the author Dennis Gaskill
          Originally Posted by Kurt View Post

          In the context of the discussion, Doran was correct that "realism" doesn't fit, no matter how you try to spin it with your BS definition of "literalist interpretation ".
          The "literalist interpretation notwithstanding" was regarding your view about the question, not the context of the discussion. You are taking the OP's question literally, and trying to apply it to a discussion that had evolved beyond the OP starting in post #32 with Doran saying, "There is no such thing as a realist." Doran tried to return to the OP and ignore that the discussion had evolved, and I don't blame him. Saying there's no such thing as a realist is kind of a tough position to defend.

          I had already answered the OP's question literally in post #15: "I'm an optimist with realistic leanings." As I said, the discussion between Doran and I had evolved into one of him trying to convince me there's no such thing as a realist and me trying to convince him there is. We were no longer trying to answer the OP.

          To be completely honest, I'm under the impression the OP doesn't much care about the ensuing conversations in most of her threads anyway. From what I recall, she starts threads and quickly disappears.

          Being a realist was first mentioned in post #2. The OP replied to that post in post #4 and never mentioned anything about realist not being an option. She hasn't been back since, but has started another thread in the meantime. I feel confident that, as I said previously, the OP was asking about our outlook on life, not trying to force us into a one or the other choice ... and hence, my "notwithstanding" comment about your literal interpretation of the original question.

          And more "flow"...It's an interesting human reality that we will find ways to try to make us "correct" instead of saying "good point" and accepting we were wrong. I guess that's the optimist in us all.
          Good point! Too bad it doesn't apply.

          It's also an interesting human reality that we want to think another person can't admit to being wrong simply because we haven't convinced them that we are right. Is that more of the optimist in us? :rolleyes:

          I may have made the case for "realist" poorly, but that's another matter, and a subjective one at that. Recognizing that Doran wasn't convinced with the way the discussion was going is why I tried taking a different avenue in post #50.

          Steve, I gave a dictionary definition of "realist" in post #50. Here it is again:
          "a person who accepts the world as it literally is and deals with it accordingly"
          That's the definition I'm working from. To me, that means a realist tries to make decisions and take actions based on what they cognitively determine is real ... as opposed to someone who lets his optimism or pessimism determine his reactions without cognitive deliberation, i.e. thoughtfulness vs. reactionary.

          If a realist doesn't make cognitive choices as I described, then how does one go about "dealing with reality accordingly?" There are reactions, and there are thought out responses. Anything else?

          The OP's question is a personal one, are YOU an optimist or pessimist. I believe I'm a realist according to my understanding of the word. And an optimist. They are not mutually exclusive. If someone convinces me there's no such thing as a realist, I'll admit it. It's not like I get royalties from its existance. I'm just not convinced there's no such thing.
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  • Profile picture of the author Kurt
    Let me add...I was watching Jon Stewart yesterday and Gen. Colin Powell was on talking about his latest book.

    His book ""It Worked For Me" is all about optimism and how important it is to be optimisitic. I think the book details 13 rules for being optimisitc.

    Does anyone think a General isn't also focused on REALITY? You don't think when making war plans Powell didn't try to cover every possible contigency and that Colin Powell lived in a world were everything was rosey? True optimism doesn't exclude reality.

    The Powell interview is towards the end of the video:
    June 12, 2012 - Colin Powell - The Daily Show With Jon Stewart - Full Episode Video | Comedy Central
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    • Profile picture of the author Dennis Gaskill
      Originally Posted by Kurt View Post

      True optimism doesn't exclude reality.
      I made that point earlier:

      "Responding through thoughtful choice is to minimize those tugs and pulls (reactionary impulses) as much as possible." Doesn't mean we are never reactionary or are always thoughtful. Doesn't mean an optimist or pessimist is never a realist.
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  • Profile picture of the author Dan Riffle
    Kurt:

    I think you're splitting hairs. You are basing your response on philosophical Realism, while everyone else is using the following definition (meaning #1, by the way):

    re·al·ist

       [ree-uh-list] Show IPA
    noun 1. a person who tends to view or represent things as they really are.

    2. an artist or a writer whose work is characterized by realism.
    3. Philosophy . an adherent of realism.


    My assumption is most are trying to say they don't allow optimistic or pessimistic points of view shade their reasoning.

    As I said earlier, I think folks mean they tend toward stoicism when they talk about being a "realist." They try to keep bias out of their decision-making.
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  • Profile picture of the author Doran Peck
    Dennis and Steve,

    My appologies for the tone and abbrasive structure of some of my ramblings....in retrospect, the stuff sounded better in my head than on the page.

    To try to simplify my basic assertion...it is that we are always being driven by either a pessimistic base or an optimistic base. We can't escape it at any level.

    While our choices are indeed shaped by our knowledge, experiences etc....even those things were all internalized, perceived, shaped, prioritized.....from an underlying pessimistic or optimistic influence. One or the other of those attributes is active and engaged, every second of your life.

    It seems like in any Optimist vs. Pessimist discussion, there are always the anectodes offered..."a pessimist will do this, and an optimist will do that"...and the examples are always of an extreme and stereotypical nature. ...and even as an admitted optimist I still don't feel like I relate to every example of optimist they give. I'm imagine others feel the same way.

    that is all
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    • Profile picture of the author Dennis Gaskill
      Originally Posted by Doran Peck View Post

      Dennis and Steve,

      My appologies for the tone and abbrasive structure of some of my ramblings....in retrospect, the stuff sounded better in my head than on the page.
      No problem, and no hard feelings. No apology was necessary as far as I'm concerned. You're a bright guy, you made me do some thinking. It's all good.

      To try to simplify my basic assertion...it is that we are always being driven by either a pessimistic base or an optimistic base. We can't escape it at any level.
      I don't disagree with that. Let me simplify my position ... a realist is someone who recognizes those driving forces aren't always right, and makes a conscious effort not to let those forces steer his ship of life.

      Better?
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  • Profile picture of the author Dan Riffle
    I was researching Kurt's assertion that "realist" isn't an appropriate term (I r e a l l y don't want to go to bed) and I stumbled on this:



    "The pessimist is concerned with the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails."
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  • Profile picture of the author Doran Peck
    Yes better...now I can rest easy tonight. My brain is pooped.
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  • Profile picture of the author HeySal
    Holy heck. I spent a couple of years in philosophy classes and when I said I am a realist, I didn't mean it scholastically. I was reacting to the seemingly popular view of optimism that goes around this forum -- as learned from "the Secret" -- and that just drives me nuts. Seriously. All most people took from that whole marketing scheme is that all you need to do for the universe to open up for you is grin like an idiot - over everything. Every single thing that happens does not have an opportunity attached. Sometimes bad things are really just that - bad things. It doesn't mean life stops and you will never run into an opportunity again, but geesh - get a grip.
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    When the Roads and Paths end, learn to guide yourself through the wilderness
    Beyond the Path

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  • Profile picture of the author rohiteshwar
    I am both optimistic and pessimistic depends on condition i have.
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  • Profile picture of the author Ernie Lo
    [DELETED]
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    • Profile picture of the author Dan Riffle
      Originally Posted by Ernie Lonardo View Post

      <snip>
      Is there any logical reason to be optimistic going forward? Apart from just being hopeful.

      If so please do tell.

      Sure there is: at least we're still here. The alternative is kind of a downer.
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      • Profile picture of the author MissTerraK
        Ernie,

        I don't have the power to influence the whole country, I don't have the power to influence all other people and I don't have the power to order all of the other people's kids. Therefore what they do, doesn't reflect badly on me personally.

        But you betcha I have power to order my own life and influence the people around me. Because of that fact, I am extremely optimistic for not only my future, but theirs as well.

        I am a realist enough to know that they may not do the things I would have them do and that things won't always turn out the way I would like, but in no way am I pessimistic about it.

        A "woe is me" mindset is one of my biggest pet peeves along with those that lack the courage to try and bring about change. Those mindsets lead to defeatist attitudes and wastes of what could otherwise have been healthy productive lives.

        I never have or never will be an advocate of those that try to push the defeatist attitude to others either. That surely is productive, don't you think. :rolleyes:

        As long as I have breath left in me, I will be optimistic in knowing I am a positive influence in the lives around me to the best of my ability.

        Terra
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        • Profile picture of the author Dan Riffle
          Originally Posted by MissTerraK View Post

          Ernie,

          I don't have the power to influence the whole country, I don't have the power to influence all other people and I don't have the power to order all of the other people's kids. Therefore what they do, doesn't reflect badly on me personally.

          But you betcha I have power to order my own life and influence the people around me. Because of that fact, I am extremely optimistic for not only my future, but theirs as well.

          I am a realist enough to know that they may not do the things I would have them do and that things won't always turn out the way I would like, but in no way am I pessimistic about it.

          A "woe is me" mindset is one of my biggest pet peeves along with those that lack the courage to try and bring about change. Those mindsets lead to defeatist attitudes and wastes of what could otherwise have been healthy productive lives.

          As long as I have breath left in me, I will be optimistic in knowing I am a positive influence in the lives around me to the best of my ability.

          Terra
          Did you just re-use your speech from the Miss Michigan pageant?
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          • Profile picture of the author MissTerraK
            Originally Posted by Dan Riffle View Post

            Did you just re-use your speech from the Miss Michigan pageant?
            You remember my speech? Sweet!

            No, I never competed. I had bigger fish to fry!

            Terra
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  • Profile picture of the author Doran Peck
    Ernie, I totally understand where your coming from...and I too don't have much hope for any of those things on a world scale to get better. In fact I probably spend too much time reading and worrying about all the corruption and things going on that most of the people are completely oblivious to.

    ...but on a personal day to day adventure....pessimism and optimism play their roles, however large or small, in everything we do, say and think.

    Let me share soemthing that happened just last night that illustrates an example of what I mean...and I use this only because its fresh on my mind.

    So yesterday I pulled our trailer over to our house and parked it in front. We do this the day before we leave on a trip so we can plug the trailer in overnight and also get it packed for the trip. Well last month the power in our garage went out, and we hadn't got around to having it fixed yet. We don't really use the garage much but for storage. So we're in the house, and I say, "alrighty, I'm going to go plug the trailer in now"...."oh shoot, I forgot, our garage plugins don't work"...her " oh yeah I forgot about that".

    In that instance both of our brains choose a path of thought and begin moving through it, and for the next 4 or 5 seconds....

    Instantly this is what she starts saying. "well what are we going to do? we can't wait until we get to the campground to turn the fridge on" ...I wish you'd have cleaned the garage a little bit so we can have someone come look at it" ..." how are we going to get the power back on by tomorrow"

    While she was talking, my thoughts also headed down a path,....ok so what if I brought the cord in through the front door and plugged it in right there....ok no thats stupid you can't leave the front door open....where are the other plugs located?....there's an outside one on the back of the house on the deck....whats the furthest I've ever got that orange extension cord to reach? ...it probably goes clear around and hits the driveway...and the cord from the trailer goes clear up the driveway and into the garage...ok so they'll reach each other...where did I put that orange extension cord...its in the shed with the weedwacker.

    "Ok I know how we can get the trailer plugged in"

    Now, in this scenario, my thought process took off in the direction it did based on the premise that it likely could be done.

    She first went to the obstacles of why it couldnt be done.

    This is not to say that she wouldnt have or can't come up with a solution because she's dominantly pessimistic....she absolutely would eventually figured out the same solution...she may have only needed a few more seconds or minutes to arrive at it in this case...the observation is, that the pessimistic nature in her had her moving through the process in a distinctively different manner than my optiimistic nature.

    Now, there are times when I miss, and she hits beause she's anticipated certain things correctly. There is true balance between the two perspectives.

    well..and going back to the trailer scenario...she pointed out that the cord needed to be off the driveway so the connector didn't get hit by tires...but that the grass was wet so we propped that part of it up a bit.

    now I would have eventually noticed those things, maybe a few seconds or minutes more...maybe not till I started to actally move the car...just my nature to not see those things initially.

    Anyway..hope that was useful
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    • Profile picture of the author Steven Wagenheim
      Originally Posted by Doran Peck View Post

      Ernie, I totally understand where your coming from...and I too don't have much hope for any of those things on a world scale to get better. In fact I probably spend too much time reading and worrying about all the corruption and things going on that most of the people are completely oblivious to.

      ...but on a personal day to day adventure....pessimism and optimism play their roles, however large or small, in everything we do, say and think.

      Let me share soemthing that happened just last night that illustrates an example of what I mean...and I use this only because its fresh on my mind.

      So yesterday I pulled our trailer over to our house and parked it in front. We do this the day before we leave on a trip so we can plug the trailer in overnight and also get it packed for the trip. Well last month the power in our garage went out, and we hadn't got around to having it fixed yet. We don't really use the garage much but for storage. So we're in the house, and I say, "alrighty, I'm going to go plug the trailer in now"...."oh shoot, I forgot, our garage plugins don't work"...her " oh yeah I forgot about that".

      In that instance both of our brains choose a path of thought and begin moving through it, and for the next 4 or 5 seconds....

      Instantly this is what she starts saying. "well what are we going to do? we can't wait until we get to the campground to turn the fridge on" ...I wish you'd have cleaned the garage a little bit so we can have someone come look at it" ..." how are we going to get the power back on by tomorrow"

      While she was talking, my thoughts also headed down a path,....ok so what if I brought the cord in through the front door and plugged it in right there....ok no thats stupid you can't leave the front door open....where are the other plugs located?....there's an outside one on the back of the house on the deck....whats the furthest I've ever got that orange extension cord to reach? ...it probably goes clear around and hits the driveway...and the cord from the trailer goes clear up the driveway and into the garage...ok so they'll reach each other...where did I put that orange extension cord...its in the shed with the weedwacker.

      "Ok I know how we can get the trailer plugged in"

      Now, in this scenario, my thought process took off in the direction it did based on the premise that it likely could be done.

      She first went to the obstacles of why it couldnt be done.

      This is not to say that she wouldnt have or can't come up with a solution because she's dominantly pessimistic....she absolutely would eventually figured out the same solution...she may have only needed a few more seconds or minutes to arrive at it in this case...the observation is, that the pessimistic nature in her had her moving through the process in a distinctively different manner than my optiimistic nature.

      Now, there are times when I miss, and she hits beause she's anticipated certain things correctly. There is true balance between the two perspectives.

      well..and going back to the trailer scenario...she pointed out that the cord needed to be off the driveway so the connector didn't get hit by tires...but that the grass was wet so we propped that part of it up a bit.

      now I would have eventually noticed those things, maybe a few seconds or minutes more...maybe not till I started to actally move the car...just my nature to not see those things initially.

      Anyway..hope that was useful
      I'm sorry but you're confusing logic, reasoning and intellect with optimism
      and pessimism.

      Sure, we may come at a problem from different emotional perspectives, but
      ultimately, our ability to solve the problem comes from our intellect, ability to
      reason and our knowledge.

      It doesn't matter if I'm an optimist or a pessimist. If I don't know jack ****
      about nuclear reactors, I'm not going to have a snow ball's chance in hell of
      stopping or containing a meltdown.

      Using a more realistic example, if my PC breaks down and I know nothing
      about how to fix it and my only options are to bring it to a qualified tech,
      an optimist will be confident that the tech will fix it while the pessimist will
      be certain that he'll have to get a new PC.

      But either one, if they have the skills to fix PCs will KNOW, based on their
      knowledge and what's wrong, whether or not that PC can in fact be repaired.

      The one may take longer to getting around to doing it than the other, but in
      the end, the PC WILL be fixed IF it can be fixed.

      Skill and intellect =/= optimism, pessimism.
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      • Profile picture of the author Doran Peck
        Originally Posted by Steven Wagenheim View Post

        I'm sorry but you're confusing logic, reasoning and intellect with optimism
        and pessimism. I understand the role intellect and logic played in my thought process to get the trailer some electricity. I understood the tools and props involved and how they work.

        The optimistic and pessimistic, is a way to describe the way in which my brain assembled the logic and knowledge to get to the result.

        Sure, we may come at a problem from different emotional perspectives, but
        ultimately, our ability to solve the problem comes from our intellect, ability to
        reason and our knowledge.

        Agreed...and the different ( different, infering more than one) emotional perspectives could be described as pessimistic emotional perspective and optimistic emotional perspective.

        It doesn't matter if I'm an optimist or a pessimist. If I don't know jack ****
        about nuclear reactors, I'm not going to have a snow ball's chance in hell of
        stopping or containing a meltdown.

        of course not, becouse pessimism and optimism aren't actual intelligence or knowledge...they are simply the way in which the intelligence and knowledge might be put into play. The intelligence might govern the ratio of pessimism and optimism in the equation....but it still doesn't change that certain parts of a thought process are pessimistic in nature or optimistic.

        Using a more realistic example, if my PC breaks down and I know nothing
        about how to fix it and my only options are to bring it to a qualified tech,
        an optimist will be confident that the tech will fix it while the pessimist will
        be certain that he'll have to get a new PC.

        But either one, if they have the skills to fix PCs will KNOW, based on their
        knowledge and what's wrong, whether or not that PC can in fact be repaired.

        The one may take longer to getting around to doing it than the other, but in
        the end, the PC WILL be fixed IF it can be fixed.

        Skill and intellect =/= optimism, pessimism.

        Thats a pretty good example...and thats kind of what I'm saying too. or maybe even a different result may come about...the fix it ..thats one of my frustrations is being able to put together better examples to illustrate my views.

        One of the things I think don't work real well deeper conversations like this
        is anecdotal analogies...because in most of them the extreme version of optimist or pessimist is used. We don't get to see the evolution of the thought process...and that is where I'm saying there are distinct optimistic and pessimistic influences taking place, every second of our lives.

        For example in an earlier post...where the pessimist, optimist and realist were sailng....in real life both the pessimist and the optimist would have adjusted the sails too, because their logic and intellect would have put that into action...we just got to glimps at their respective motivations as to why, and what was important for them to preserve. The realist in that snippet, gets to skip straight to action stage, we don't get the reveal on his motivation. That motivation will ultimately have a pessimistic or optimistic outlook.

        man, already I'm tearing ligaments in my brain and its not even lunch yet.
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  • Profile picture of the author David Maschke
    The way I see it, I'm not lucky enough to be a pessimist. Maybe someday though, but probably not.
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    I

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  • Profile picture of the author glock92
    im more of a pessimist
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    • Profile picture of the author Karen Blundell
      I've always been an optimist, but that doesn't mean I haven't had my days where I felt down, or tired, or burned out.

      But I've always made the best out of bad situations. My friends call me the "bounce-back queen".
      :p
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      • Profile picture of the author Dennis Gaskill
        Originally Posted by Ernie Lonardo View Post

        What possible reason could you have to be optimistic?
        Many, many studies have proven that an optimistic attitude leads to greater happiness and better health. That's plenty reason enough.

        Has anyone taken a look around lately or are your heads buried in the sand?
        One can be optimistic about their own life the world around them even as the greater world grows more negative. Isn't it usually the optimists that find the solutions and lead the way to improvement? It's hard to imagine someone making things significantly better while crying we're all doomed.

        Is there any logical reason to be optimistic going forward? Apart from just being hopeful.

        If so please do tell.
        Aside from the better health and more happiness that I already mentioned, an optimist generally has more friends, better relationships, and a deeper appreciation for their blessings so they enjoy them more. Life is just more enjoyable with a positive attitude.
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        Just when you think you've got it all figured out, someone changes the rules.

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  • Profile picture of the author reddy2011
    Believe me "A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty" this would be my Thought for the lifetime... Thanks for the great share ...
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    Mobiles and Technology !!!!!!
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    • Profile picture of the author Karen Blundell
      I went through this whole thread, and now I have a headache. lol :p:p

      I had mentioned earlier that I'm an optimist but I have a confession to make:

      most times I'm a dreamer, because realism nowadays sucks, and I much prefer spending my time imagining a world with no wars, no hunger, no reason for violence.

      My dreams give me hope...and I'm wondering if in the end, it's better that way. Much of the "reality" around me is quite negative. And if I was to let that seep into my life, it would spread like poison, and I'd never be able to make a dime online. Because I'm extremely sensitive to vibes around me, if someone around me is suffering, I take on the role of care-giver and motivator, often forgetting about caring for myself. That has hurt me more than anything.

      I think, if the truth be told, all of us have times when we could be either optimistic or pessimistic, but one is usually more prevalent than the other. I believe everyone has a dark side. And everyone, I think, should come to terms with that, honestly. I believe we live in a world of dualities and that some people can't cope with that truth.
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  • Profile picture of the author jackdani
    i consider myself an optimist with realistic life views)
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  • Profile picture of the author ReplenishSEO
    optimist,

    As much as I can.

    I try to bring people up... but sometimes there are too many pessimists in the world.
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  • Profile picture of the author chooch
    Is the glass half empty or half full? I don't know.....I just drink it.
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    • Profile picture of the author myob
      Originally Posted by chooch View Post

      Is the glass half empty or half full? I don't know.....I just drink it.
      Realistically, do you have any idea what is in the glass?

      "I never drink water because of the disgusting things that fish do in it."
      - W. C. Fields
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  • Profile picture of the author Cjxiang
    I am a realist as well....I am not so positive and not even negative at all.
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