Pessimism and Optimism

Why would people choose pessimism over optimism? Because it is easier. Much easier.

It requires very little effort to be pessimistic. It risks no hope and risks no pain of hope brokenness. It needs no effort to love and to believe. It needs no patience for the wait, effort for "just try it one more time". It requires much much less effort to kneel down and submit to "reality" than to stand up and build your own dream.

Optimism is not for the naive, but for the courageous. The one who is courageous enough to believe, to trust, to wait.

Optimism is not for the silly but for those with greatness, it is for those who see that their life is worthwhile -- worthwhile for the fight, worthwhile for creating a better world, worthwhile for the wait, worthwhile for anticipating what their heart can imagine.

Always look towards the sun.

Optimism belongs to those with pride, who refuse to let their world sink into the mud of mediocrity and despondency.

Optimism is for the grower. It is for those optimistic enough to pay the price of sowing the seeds, watering with perspiration, till the gold of the field send them fragrance of their harvest.

Optimism would need to pay, just like pessimism would. But optimism pays now and harvest later. Pessimism does nothing. They pay their price later so they feel as though they never need to pay. But the price for pessimism will come slowly but surely.

Optimism is for the warrior, the fighter, the creator, the exceptional, the minority.

Optimism is for those great enough to stand up and say: "See. This is what my life should be. And so it shall."

-- Master Yun Long Zi, 10 April 2014