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It takes all kinds of people to make our world. There are the
optimists among us who somehow always find a way to see something
good in even the ugliest happening. When there is pain, they point
to the benefits of surviving the hurt. They will tell you to grin
and bear it and you will have learned to rise to another level of
maturity. When the storm rains out your social event, they will
remind you that the plants need the water.
Optimists are fun to be with precisely because
they have such a sunny disposition. They have a way of lifting
others up when they are stuck in the pits.
Some of the most optimistic persons are those
who have the least reason to be so. The blind man who makes you
laugh and does something with his life despite his handicaps. The
woman who just lost a loved one, but can smile through her tears as
she tells you all about the goodness of the beloved and how she
appreciates the years they had together.
Optimists are usually others oriented. They are
consistent in thinking of others. They reach out more than are
expected of them. They encourage rather than discourage. They build
rather than tear down. They are more willing to risk than most
people. When some think it cannot be done, the optimists ask “why
not?” and when the crowd says, “Let’s all give up and go
home,” they cry out, “Wait a minute, why not try once more?”
You need an optimist to start a new project.
While the pessimist will give you a hundred reasons not to go ahead,
the optimist will give a thousand reasons to proceed. When I married
my wife, we were super happy. A relative of mine smiled a sarcastic
smile and said, “Yeah, let’s see how you feel about each other
three years from now.” Pessimist. That was thirty-one years ago
and we are happier than ever.
While the pessimist isn’t happy unless he has
something to complain about, the optimist does not like to dwell on
the negatives of life. It isn’t that he will not look at
negatives. He will, but he won’t let them get him down. He will
search for something… anything… that he can hold on to and keep
him moving forward.
The pessimist keeps looking back as he searches
for reasons to gripe. Say “Good morning,” to him and he will
answer with a question; “What’s so good about it?” if you
respond by saying, “But I’m alive,” he will come back and tell
you that one day you won’t wake up.
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If you have problems about drugs, alcohol and
behavior/attitude call my office at 8206107 or 8251771 or e-mail me
at gvcbuenca@vasia.com or write me at P.O. Box 2099 MCPO, Makati
City.
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