I try to respond 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 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, 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 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.
I’m not myself today and everybody has noticed the improvement 63