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Which is preferable in life?


There is something to be said for both outlooks;

- In an evolutionary sense, it has been better to be a pessimist, since they are more likely to see problems arising, and able to avoid them. (Optimists assume everything will go well, and are less likely to see problems on the horizon.)

- Optimists seem to be more accepted and embraced by our society nowadays. Also, the mind actually works in the way that if you think things will go well, they more often do (for example visualization).


And do you think you are born with either one or the other outlook? If so, do you believe this can be changed, or will you always remain the same at your very core? Can a person be a combination of both?

Nina-it is not an easy question!There are different kind of optimism and pessimism,but generally I think that one can not be definitely optimist or pessimist.I'd like to believe that mix of both is useful.And YES -I think a person is a combination of both.It depends on one's character,attitude,memories,level of experience,even surroundings-which one will predominate.
Personally I prefer Realism + moderate dose of optimism,but I can't deny sometimes I am in pessimistic mood...But any joke ,laugh or special moments change us to look again on the bright side of things.I like to think so.

I think I'm a realist and I like to try to have the courage to face what I believe I cannot change.

I'm nearly 43, I have no children, I have no relationship. These things are just fact.
People (believe it or not) for some sadistic reason unknown to me like to get on to the subject of me having kids. Just today, I swear, I rang up a cousin of mine to wish her and her new baby all the best. Her mum (god love her) got on the phone and started to tell me (unprovoked) that one day I would also be a mother and that I should have faith in the holy virgin (but then if she can believe in that, why not me) because I'm a good person and the holy virgin never forgets anyone......

I was prepared as I have heard zillions of these arguements since I turned 40...... I always (for some stoopid reason) tried to explain and reason with them. Big mistake!! You're told you're a pessimist
So I told her I wasn't ready yet. I was too young. Maybe in 15-20 years time if the right guy turned up!!
Got a laugh out of her, at any rate

Why is it that people can't cope / deal with reality.....?
It's not always that bad.

I am a Pessimistic Optimist.
Most of the times Cautiously Hopeful!

I think an Optimist is preferable. Pessimists are depressing ... to always be wet-blanketing everything.

Most times I have seen pessimists who seem to carry their doom around with them, and get some sort of self-indulgent satisfaction in being right to not expect anything good to happen.

An optimist is accepted and embraced maybe because they are invigorating to be around? They dont drain your energy and cause lethargy and loss of hope.

I suppose that one is one or the other through one`s upbringing and expectations? I dont think its something that can be changed - being sort of ingrained? A well balanced realist could be described as a Combination of Both. To be able to recognise situations and not be unreasonable, but also to always hope for the best?.... And to not be crushed by defeat if things go wrong.

I always expect the worst (to avoid dissapointment) and hope for the best............... I am VERY confident that things will always turn out ultimately for the best!

'Everything is for the best in the best of all possible worlds!' (Pangloss, stricken blind with syphillis in Voltaire's 'Candide')

I know I'm right.

I have nothing to prove.

I don't even care if you are 'with me' or 'against me' - the truth shall always win!

Yes, beneath that veneer of cynicism lurks a very sensible young man!

PESSIMIST====A Person with the uncanny Ability to "Snatch Defeat Out Of The Jaws Of Victory"

very true!

You are right Natasha. The level of experience a person has been through has a very great bearing on whether they are optimistic or pessimistic about life in general. You cannot expect a person who has nothing but bad luck to be optimistic. They would feel singled out. It is not a matter of choice.

quote:
"The basis of optimism is sheer terror" - Oscar Wilde (sorry, couldn't help myself )

Very simplistic interpretation...

Good one!!

Well,"Simplify Simple"!

Then there is always the "K.I.S.S-Principle (Keep It Simple.......)

Pessimists........Optimists........why do people have to put labels on who we are and how we are, what we do and how we do it?

True that there are people who see doomsday everyday, and others who never see the bridge collapsing beneath their feet until they crash down, but where are the realists? Where are those sincere and brave people who call black, black, and red, red.

I think that the way we decide to perceive things in adult life is the result of our upbringing.

i try to be an optimist simply because i prefer being positive to being negative and feeling happy to feeling sad, but it can be easy to let circumstances take that optimism away sometimes. perhaps i should claim the right to feel positive and just learn to be more stubborn about it.

I,m an optimistic pessimist

Are you secretly me or what ??? I would have written exactly the same, hang on think I did ten million threads ago. Never mind, a good idea doesn,t care who has it.

THANK YOU!!! Thank you...:) for sending me info!!

From now on I'll sign under Anything!! you post in here...well, maybe not "everything" Great job!! and you're sooo!! helpful
sorry, off the subject as usual

Ok, another optimist here!! .. and I do like word "Always", btw.. as it makes feel even more confident and powerful and bring luck somehow. As well "Never" is another awesome word to use, since I noticed that when you use it..then later, in a matter of time, "IT" just happens/comes to you..so I'm using this word quite often(in a back of my mind..knowingly tricking "the fate") with a positive stuff..like "Oh, soo want to have/go/meet/etc (whatever it's)..but CERTAINLY (yeah, right..not believing in that ) will NEVER get it...........Next I know..."IT" came my way!!! and all that left is: to say "Thank you God!"
...(you've got to be thankful, btw, otherwise the luck will slip away...and go to someone else! bummer, right?!)

PS. Gman! thank you again!!..check your email