Thought for Sunday on Induced Optimism (read in Eng,Sp,Fr,Ger,It)
The dictionary definition of optimism is the philosophical opposite of pessimism, “an inclination to put the most favorable construction upon actions and events, or to anticipate the best possible outcome.” Optimists generally believe that people, events, and situations are inherently good and that everything is going to work out fine in the end. I read about Pollyanna, ( the poster girl of optimists,) who was able to infect many with her optimism, whereas others might just feel that she is an idiot. The dictionary states that some optimists have a more internalized view of optimism, believing, (this is where the spirituality of optimism comes in) that regardless of the external world or situation, we should choose to feel good about it. Whatever the circumstances are, we should make the most of it. This kind of optimism does not depend on the quality of the external world; internal optimism adjusts one’s own feelings instead of changing others. Optimism has permeated Western culture f...