The Optimist

Griff · 12-05-2007, 04:11 PM

Monday at work I was accused* of being an optimist. It kind of struck me, how has this happened? If you are a stalker or truly bored, you could grind through my older posts here. I don't think that guy was an optimist. I always think of myself as a cynic, but frankly at work I am an optimist. I work with 3 and 4 year old kids, some from shockingly tough backgrounds, most just poor. To me these kids represent potential, they are what could be. That makes me optimistic. I've been working on my head. I look for and give weight to the good things I find. Another piece of the puzzle is that I am rapidly becoming apolitical. There is that one class of individual guaranteed toresuscitate the cynic, so I'm not going to engage them much. I may check in with the election, but I'm gonna keep my distance. It isn't healthy to get caught up in stuff that I can't impact and won't find uplifting. Instead, I'm going to teach 3 and 4 year olds not to hit and to enjoy school. I'll change their world.

*in a positive way

Sundae · 12-05-2007, 04:22 PM

About 8 years ago I was called into a meeting with my immediate boss. She ran an idea past me and asked what I thought. I gave my opinion, she thanked me and then I had to ask, "Why me?" To be brutally honest I expected a compliment - I was hard working, I was intelligent, I had an analytical mind. She told me I was the person on the team who most resented change and I was also the most articulate. A slap down and a compliment in one.

She deserved to be in her position, she had me in one.

I'm still working with my negativity in my private life, but I think I conquered it in a work situation now. I never realised how saying whatever came into my head would identify something I didn't even know about myself to people who didn't even know me that well.

Pleased to hear you are an optimist Griff. Take additional comfort in the fact there are people out there trying to emulate what you have naturally.

LJ · 12-05-2007, 04:24 PM

and be a simplllllllle ......kind a man.

try to ignore the less than stellar guitar work...and focus instead on the power in this young girl's voice. ...speaking of potential.

Griff · 12-05-2007, 04:45 PM

Sundae. Part of my thought is this, it isn't natural. I've had to deal with a lot of my shit to get to this point. We can, up to a point, over-come or at least deal with the twin cards of biology and up bringing (call it niche finding). These kids are starting out where I started out. We can do it.

LJ for a newbie you just get it. chills man

Shawnee123 · 12-05-2007, 05:30 PM

When I was younger, a friend's mom said I was an idealist. This means I'm not a realist. Fair enough. i had very idealistic views of the world. However, when an idealist realizes that her ideals are probably not realistic, does she become a realist? Some do. Some become cynics. I hate being cynical. I'm going to try to be more optimistic; I'm working on it.

Griff, what a neat person you are, seriously. Those kids are very lucky to have you in their lives. One thing I've always tried to believe (before I became really cynical)

is that no, not everyone has been given the sight to make it out of a bad situation. People would say "they should be able to make their lives better, get out of poverty, out of the crime-ridden neighborhoods...it's their choice" and point to many who have done so. I always said "because they had someone in their life, one person, who showed them the way." Not everyone has that. You are that person to many.

Cicero · 12-06-2007, 01:16 PM

Griff, you are a good egg.

ZenGum · 12-06-2007, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shawnee123

When I was younger, a friend's mom said I was an idealist. This means I'm not a realist. Fair enough. i had very idealistic views of the world. However, when an idealist realizes that her ideals are probably not realistic, does she become a realist?

In an ideal world, yes.

Master_At_Blubbering · 12-13-2007, 07:42 PM

ALTHOUGH SOME PEOPLE HAVE CALLED ME OLD FASHIONED I AM OF THE MINDSET THAT PEOPLE WHO TEND TO BE OPTIMISTIC MORE OFTEN ARE INHERENTLY GOOD PEOPLE. THOSE WHO ARE USUALLY PESSIMISTIC TEND TO BECOME BAD PEOPLE. I THINK THAT AT YOUR CORE YOU ARE A GOOD PERSON WHO NEEDS TO VENT AS ALL PEOPLE DO

I AM SURE THAT YOUR MANIFESTATION OF OPTIMISM AT WORK CAN BE CONSIDERED NOTHING BUT A GOOD SIGN

SUPER KARATE ADVICE POST

BIIIITCH

Griff · 12-13-2007, 08:21 PM

Thanks.

piercehawkeye45 · 12-13-2007, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Master_At_Blubbering

ALTHOUGH SOME PEOPLE HAVE CALLED ME OLD FASHIONED I AM OF THE MINDSET THAT PEOPLE WHO TEND TO BE OPTIMISTIC MORE OFTEN ARE INHERENTLY GOOD PEOPLE. THOSE WHO ARE USUALLY PESSIMISTIC TEND TO BECOME BAD PEOPLE. I THINK THAT AT YOUR CORE YOU ARE A GOOD PERSON WHO NEEDS TO VENT AS ALL PEOPLE DO

This makes some sense.

Optimists and Pessimists look at the world differently, one tending to see the more positive effects while the other more negative effects respectably, so it makes sense that someone who sees mainly good things in life will be influenced by that and try to be good while others who see mainly bad things in life will act upon that as well and usually not see the point of being good because they see the world as bad already.

slang · 12-13-2007, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Griff

Another piece of the puzzle is that I am rapidly becoming apolitical. There is that one class of individual guaranteed toresuscitate the cynic, so I'm not going to engage them much. I may check in with the election, but I'm gonna keep my distance. It isn't healthy to get caught up in stuff that I can't impact and won't find uplifting.

I can relate Griff.

Eliminate the needless negative stress in your life and live a little. Shift the focus to something outside of yourself and the whole world changes.

And while you're at it.....drink a bit more. A happy drunk makes more friends.

ZenGum · 12-13-2007, 09:25 PM

I'm an optimist.
I'm very optimistic that Master_At_Blubbering will find the caps lock key very soon and stop shouting all his posts at us.

classicman · 12-13-2007, 09:30 PM

No way - I'll take that action.

xoxoxoBruce · 12-16-2007, 12:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by piercehawkeye45

snip......while others who see mainly bad things in life will act upon that as well and usually not see the point of being good because they see the world as bad already.

Nonsense, pessimists would not be pessimists, if they didn't know the value of being good. They are guarded, cautious and more careful, not bad.

Perry Winkle · 12-16-2007, 03:29 AM

I think I could best be described as a realist with mild optimistic and weak (classical or pseudo) cynical tendencies, with occasional bouts of idealism.

Optimism can be a shield or a blinder. You can use it to protect yourself so you can continue to do good, difficult work or you can use it hide dark realities from yourself. The shield vs. blinder outcome is probably somewhat based on how strongly idealistic or realistic one is.

If you're optimistic and realistic, your optimism will likely be a strength, whereas optimistim and idealism will likely blind you to the places where ideals don't and can't match reality.

Also, I think these dimensions of mind-frame are influenced by context and personal proclivity. Maybe they can be thought of as two functionally related axes that color a person's cognitive frame.

12-05-2007, 04:11 PM	#1
Griff still says videotape Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 26,813	The Optimist Monday at work I was accused* of being an optimist. It kind of struck me, how has this happened? If you are a stalker or truly bored, you could grind through my older posts here. I don't think that guy was an optimist. I always think of myself as a cynic, but frankly at work I am an optimist. I work with 3 and 4 year old kids, some from shockingly tough backgrounds, most just poor. To me these kids represent potential, they are what could be. That makes me optimistic. I've been working on my head. I look for and give weight to the good things I find. Another piece of the puzzle is that I am rapidly becoming apolitical. There is that one class of individual guaranteed toresuscitate the cynic, so I'm not going to engage them much. I may check in with the election, but I'm gonna keep my distance. It isn't healthy to get caught up in stuff that I can't impact and won't find uplifting. Instead, I'm going to teach 3 and 4 year olds not to hit and to enjoy school. I'll change their world. *in a positive way __________________ If you would only recognize that life is hard, things would be so much easier for you. - Louis D. Brandeis

12-05-2007, 04:22 PM	#2
Sundae polaroid of perfection Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 24,185	About 8 years ago I was called into a meeting with my immediate boss. She ran an idea past me and asked what I thought. I gave my opinion, she thanked me and then I had to ask, "Why me?" To be brutally honest I expected a compliment - I was hard working, I was intelligent, I had an analytical mind. She told me I was the person on the team who most resented change and I was also the most articulate. A slap down and a compliment in one. She deserved to be in her position, she had me in one. I'm still working with my negativity in my private life, but I think I conquered it in a work situation now. I never realised how saying whatever came into my head would identify something I didn't even know about myself to people who didn't even know me that well. Pleased to hear you are an optimist Griff. Take additional comfort in the fact there are people out there trying to emulate what you have naturally. __________________ Life's hard you know, so strike a pose on a Cadillac

12-05-2007, 04:24 PM	#3
LJ i am myself Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: via blackberry, maybe Posts: 750	and be a simplllllllle ......kind a man. try to ignore the less than stellar guitar work...and focus instead on the power in this young girl's voice. ...speaking of potential. __________________ Whether I shall turn out to be the hero of my own life, or whether that station will be held by anybody else, these pages must show ... -C.Dickens

12-05-2007, 04:45 PM	#4
Griff still says videotape Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 26,813	Sundae. Part of my thought is this, it isn't natural. I've had to deal with a lot of my shit to get to this point. We can, up to a point, over-come or at least deal with the twin cards of biology and up bringing (call it niche finding). These kids are starting out where I started out. We can do it. LJ for a newbie you just get it. chills man __________________ If you would only recognize that life is hard, things would be so much easier for you. - Louis D. Brandeis

12-06-2007, 01:16 PM	#6
Cicero Looking forward to open mic night. Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: New Mexico Posts: 5,148	Griff, you are a good egg. __________________ Show me a sane man, and I will cure him for you.- Carl Jung

12-05-2007, 05:30 PM	#5
Shawnee123 Why, you're a regular Alfred E Einstein, ain't ya? Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 21,206	When I was younger, a friend's mom said I was an idealist. This means I'm not a realist. Fair enough. i had very idealistic views of the world. However, when an idealist realizes that her ideals are probably not realistic, does she become a realist? Some do. Some become cynics. I hate being cynical. I'm going to try to be more optimistic; I'm working on it. Griff, what a neat person you are, seriously. Those kids are very lucky to have you in their lives. One thing I've always tried to believe (before I became really cynical) is that no, not everyone has been given the sight to make it out of a bad situation. People would say "they should be able to make their lives better, get out of poverty, out of the crime-ridden neighborhoods...it's their choice" and point to many who have done so. I always said "because they had someone in their life, one person, who showed them the way." Not everyone has that. You are that person to many.

12-13-2007, 07:42 PM	#8
Master_At_Blubbering Jotter of Notes Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 11	ALTHOUGH SOME PEOPLE HAVE CALLED ME OLD FASHIONED I AM OF THE MINDSET THAT PEOPLE WHO TEND TO BE OPTIMISTIC MORE OFTEN ARE INHERENTLY GOOD PEOPLE. THOSE WHO ARE USUALLY PESSIMISTIC TEND TO BECOME BAD PEOPLE. I THINK THAT AT YOUR CORE YOU ARE A GOOD PERSON WHO NEEDS TO VENT AS ALL PEOPLE DO I AM SURE THAT YOUR MANIFESTATION OF OPTIMISM AT WORK CAN BE CONSIDERED NOTHING BUT A GOOD SIGN *SUPER KARATE ADVICE POST* BIIIITCH

12-13-2007, 08:21 PM	#9
Griff still says videotape Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 26,813	Thanks. __________________ If you would only recognize that life is hard, things would be so much easier for you. - Louis D. Brandeis

12-13-2007, 09:25 PM	#12
ZenGum Doctor Wtf Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Badelaide, Baustralia Posts: 12,861	I'm an optimist. I'm very optimistic that Master_At_Blubbering will find the caps lock key very soon and stop shouting all his posts at us. __________________ Shut up and hug. MoreThanPretty, Nov 5, 2008. Just because I'm nominally polite, does not make me a pussy. Sundae Girl.

12-13-2007, 09:30 PM	#13
classicman barely disguised asshole, keeper of all that is holy. Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 23,401	No way - I'll take that action. __________________ "like strapping a pillow on a bull in a china shop" Bullitt

12-16-2007, 03:29 AM	#15
Perry Winkle Esnohplad Semaj Ton Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: A little south of sanity Posts: 2,259	I think I could best be described as a realist with mild optimistic and weak (classical or pseudo) cynical tendencies, with occasional bouts of idealism. Optimism can be a shield or a blinder. You can use it to protect yourself so you can continue to do good, difficult work or you can use it hide dark realities from yourself. The shield vs. blinder outcome is probably somewhat based on how strongly idealistic or realistic one is. If you're optimistic and realistic, your optimism will likely be a strength, whereas optimistim and idealism will likely blind you to the places where ideals don't and can't match reality. Also, I think these dimensions of mind-frame are influenced by context and personal proclivity. Maybe they can be thought of as two functionally related axes that color a person's cognitive frame.

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