Be an Optimist
the next week, they would be
miraculously saved by some
unforeseen element that had
not been disclosed the previous
week. After experiencing this
phenomenon for several years, it
is not surprising that I no longer
believed that just because I saw
actors fall off a cliff or be shot by a
gun that they would not survive.
As an optimist, I believe there is
always a chance that those things
CAROL DIOCA
Concentrate on the white space, and you will see the world “Optical.”
Then, look at the painted spaces, and you will see the word “Illusion.”
Welcome to an optical illusion painting by Art Pressman.
that appear to be disastrous will become
the opposite and result in great rejoicing.
Consequently, I’m often thought of
as a “Pollyanna,” who has unrealistic
expectations and refuses to face reality.
I believe that this is correct. It doesn’t
matter, since I want to live in a world
where I can refuse to accept defeat and
where I can always believe in hope. I can
accept being wrong; but I would much
prefer that no one tell me that I am. I
prefer to keep looking for that pony as I
follow my dreams. 9
Publisher / Editor
The P ublisher Po stulates
I TRY TO R E S P O N D TO
almost anything I’m told with
the phrase, “That may be for
the best.” I do so since I’m a
strong proponent of the doctrine
that it is very difficult to know
if something is bad or good at
first glance. Therefore, I look
for a silver lining around every
cloud, as I have come to realize
that things are not always the
way they seem.
Being an optimist, I generally view
circumstances from the most favorable
viewpoint, as most events take a
considerable period of time to evolve
to the point where you can evaluate a
situation early in the event. Many young
romantics become devastated when the
object of their desires moves on, only
to discover that fate had a better option
waiting in the wings.
There are many who see disaster at
every turn and live their entire lives as
pessimists. I, on the other hand, have
chosen to be an optimist. I look for the
doughnut and not the hole. In many
ways, life is similar to optical illusions,
in that what you see may be dependent
on your perspective. Although both
images are equally displayed, you may
only see one and not the other. I believe
that in life, your attitude can change the
By Aaron R. Fodiman
outcome of any situation. Thus, as an
optimist, I can look only at the bright
side of every situation.
One of my favorite tales is of a young
boy who opens the door to a room to
find it full of manure, which he joyfully
begins to search through. When asked
why he is so happy, he replies, “I figure
that with this much manure in here, there
must be a pony somewhere!” Much like
that young boy, I prefer to believe that
everything does work out for the best
and that, ultimately, whatever happens
will be fine.
My predisposition of optimism
probably echoes back to my days as
a child, when Saturday matinees at the
movies included the showing of a serial
that would end with the hero or heroine
having no chance to survive. However,
24 TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2016