The P ublisher Po stulates
I am an optimist beyond any doubt, a
true Pollyanna who sees the glass as
half full and who believes there is a pot
of gold at the end of every rainbow. Yet
I am also at times cynical, such as when
I occasionally don’t care if the glass is
half full or half empty, and only want to
know who is going to refill it. However,
even if I find I was overly positive and
that things did not go as I wished, I still
believe everything will work out for the
best in the long run.
Many people think this type of thinking
is foolish, and that to live your life that
way is denying reality. To them, I say “So
what?” Am I delusional? Quite possibly.
Will everything ultimately become a
disaster? Maybe. But somehow I find
a bright side to whatever I encounter. I
have survived multiple cancers, heart
attacks and other health problems, but
I’m still here. My life has had ups and
downs, some of which seemed terrible
at the time. But in retrospect, everything
seems to come up roses, and I can’t
imagine a better life for me.
I like to say that if a bear chased me
up a tree, I would sit there and try to
enjoy the view. After all, reality is not all
it is cracked up to be. Sometimes, I enjoy
being delusional. I never burn a bridge
before I get to it. I continually try to make
the best out of the worst scenarios. In the
case of the daily news, I do not listen
or watch it if I find it to be negative.
Sometimes, even an optimist has to learn
to look the other way. Avoidance is a
plan, even if it is only temporary.
Pessimists tend to believe they are
correct and that most things end up badly.
And for them, they do, as it is often just
a point of view. When a pessimist lends
someone money, they don’t expect to
get it back, so they are probably correct
in those cases. I on the other hand, have
lent people money hoping that I will
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never have to see or talk to them again,
since they will avoid me at all costs,
knowing that they owe me money. I call
that positive thinking.
I enjoy ignoring the facts and burying
my head in chocolate. It gives me great
pleasure to think that my dreams will
come true and that I will only experience
wonderful things. I know that whatever
happens is part of life and that I can either
accept it or worry about it, but since
worry is never helpful, I just continue on
my merry way with my wife Margaret
on my arm. Being a jolly Pollyanna
seems to work for me no matter what
really happens.
I bet you’ll agree with me. In fact, I’m
sure of it. 9
Publisher / Editor
OPTIMISM
By Aaron R. Fodiman
I do not care if the glass is half full or half empty. I just want to know how to get it refilled.
MARC MENCHER