Confirmed pessimist. Expect poor or less than acceptable outcomes, then if they turn out to be acceptable, elation comes from being a pessimist. If outcomes are bad, the let-down is less worse than that experienced by the optimist whose rosy hopes are dashed. If an optimist, I would be doubly affected by bad outcomes, since hope for good failed to prevail. If good happens, the feeling of elation is less than that for the pessimist. This is making little sense, I see. Frank EDIT: As Billy Joel sang: "I'd rather laugh with the Sinners than cry with the Saints, The Sinners have much more fun.............. Only the Good die young!"
I'm basically in the middle, both optimist and pessimist. However, I know exactly what you mean, Frank, about folks who think too optimistically. Thinking that way to me can show that a person could be too naïve. There are plenty of "naïve" Seniors that don't think before handing over money, lose it all, and then call themselves a victim. I think the "nice" people go more toward optimistic. "Nice" being a person who can get along with almost everyone and doesn't like confrontation, like my wife. Being an overly nice person can be as bad as being a real bad a**. My wife thinks I'm a very nice person, and I can be, but there are those times that I will totally disagree with someone. Patsy, there is always a reason to feel pessimistic.
Why - I don't understand that I see no point on 'dwelling' on the past or dwelling on what 'might be' Be as happy as you can - we will all have bad times anyway Being gullible, isn't being pessimistic or optimistic - it annoys me when seniors fall for scams, especially as there's plenty of information about it. Too trusting is the problem
I'm a woman who believes optimism and pessimism exist in all of us. I also believe that learning to "balance the scales" with optimism and pessimism is what determines how well we will cope when good or bad things happen in our lives. And just like joy and sorrow, etc. we will experience both good and bad things and times in the seasons of our lives. None of us can change this...but we do have control over our attitude towards these things and times. If we always look for the worse in things...we will find it. If we always look for the best...we can find that too. But to me peace comes for us when we know that life brings changes that will make us happy sometimes....and life brings changes that will make us sad sometimes. Balancing those scales so that we understand that everything evens out in the end can help us all have a much smoother transition through life and whatever it brings our way.
Yep agree with you Babs, I'm guilty of pessimistic thoughts, but I do me best to be rid of them I believe being too pessimistic just leads to ill health in mind and body Music heals
Yes I've got to admit after being burned many times in my life due to my too trusting and optimistic nature, the balance of the scales are heavier now with me on the pessimistic side..
I don't think being trusting and being optimistic are the same thing, I consider myself an optimist. If something doesn't turn out like I plan, at least I have learned what doesn't work. I think people who always expect bad things can draw bad things to them. I have a book called "The Secret" that espouses that if you send bad vibes out into the Universe, the Universe thinks you want bad luck back at you. I don't agree with everything the book says but I have observed many,many times that people who expect bad luck, get it. And, conversely, people who expect good things, get them.
@Cody Fousnaugh How greatly I agree with all that you've said! Your points are all very pertinent, very good examples I wish I could have thought of! I worded my thoughts as loosely as I could see fit. you filled them in perfectly! Frank
Frank, I'm not being awkward - I really see no point to being negative Shirley explained very well the advantage of being positive - I stay away from the negatives as well as I can I still suffer emotionally, but as soon as I feel that way, I'm looking to laugh me way out of it or sing to a favourite song Doesn't mean I'm strong - I'm not
I'm not a negative person .overall..but nor am I a miserable pessimist... I just lean more towards pessimism that optimism, due to the fact that I have trusted things will happen for the good and I've been let down badly both with events and people, so now I learn to perhaps not expect the worse but I am more prepared for the worse to happen than i ever was before... I certainly don't send out negative vibes... I'm a very upbeat happy person in real life..