The Absent Uncle: Optimism

As you take this journey through life there are a couple of paths that can be taken that certainly shade how you see the world around you.

My wife and I are a pretty good example. Neither of us are to the extreme of this position, but we definitely look at things differently.

Optimism vs Pessimism. I am the optimist. I usually see things as ‘all will work out.’ Whatever decision that needs to be made can always be modified – not a do or die thing. End of the world – well that just cannot be seen on a daily basis. That is not to be said I have not a few dark days along the way – but I tend not to lose sight of the light at the end of the tunnel. 

Before we flip the view – remember the glass full vs the glass half-empty example?

My wife always sees the glass half-empty. Always. 

It is not that she wants more, that she feels cheated, it is just that she has that lack of optimism that I have that all will turn out just fine.  

Over the years we have talked about this difference. If things don’t follow the plan, I have a tendency to look at the obstacle/problem with a thought of how to make the plan better I had not considered. She sees the same obstacle/problem with the thought of “this won’t work”. 

There is a huge upside to having our divergent views. Sometimes my optimism is misguided; but the other side ends in disappointment averted. Success is all in the communication and acceptance of each other’s view. I guess that is why opposites attract.

Whether that glass is half-empty or half-full, it is still the same glass. A glass shared.