Optimism: A Much Different Take

How Important Is Optimism?  generated an entirely different thought from a reader who contributed the following via email:

"Optimism can certainly be useful and definitely has its place, but, in the sense that it's being presented here, I feel 'optimism' is really a euphemism for 'coping mechanism,' and thus 'survival.'  People all have their way of coping and dealing with life. Some are perceived as pessimists (I personally feel that many realists are mislabeled as pessimists), who might be 'worst case scenario' thinkers, only to be pleasantly surprised when things turn out better. Then there are those who adhere to the "I think, therefore I am" school of thought - think positively, and it will happen. Neither mindset is better or worse than the other. But both are ways of coping and, essentially ways of 'getting by' in life.
 
And I definitely beg to differ with the statistic that 75% of Americans consider themselves to be optimists. I think that right there represents a good portion of the population who is just poor at accurate self-assessment.  There is a difference between wanting something to get better -- which a pessimist is equally capable of doing, vs. thinking or believing that it actually will. This is the distinction people are failing to recognize, and were they able to make this separation, I think that 75% would be much lower."

It's true that if one's self-assessment were inaccurate the figure would probably be different. However, that doesn't change the fact that 75% consider themselves to be optimists (no matter how misinformed they might be!).

What I like most about this thoughtful reply is the writer's differentiation when it comes to "wanting" vs. "believing."

Who would have thought that optimism would lead to a spirited, analytical conversation?

Comments

[Jo]

My readers have been reshuffling my blog for me and brought up this old post. Two poems from Silverstein which illustrate optimism and pessimism brillaintly

http://flowingmotion.wordpress.com/2007/11/16/discoverying-poetry-shel-silverstein/

[Wally Bock]

I have to disagree with the email contributor. I don't think that optimism or pessimism have any relation to realism. You can be an optimist or a pessimist and be a realist.

Realism involves working to make an accurate assessment of your situation. It's opposite is self-delusion.

Optimism and pessimism are actually expressions of confidence. When I describe myself as an optimist, I don't mean that I always think that things will work out fine. I mean that I have confidence that I can make the choices and take the actions necessary for a good outcome regardless of what fortune throws at me.

[Steve Roesler]

Wally,

For my money, your final paragraph is the definitive representation of what we're talking about here; expect to see it again.

After reading and re-reading the email comment, I think that you and the other person are in agreement on the underlying issue: How one copes (makes choices and takes action) provides the foundation for how one's optimism/pessimism inclinations get played out and are perceived by others.

[Steve Roesler]

Jo, thank you for the resource. Shel Silverstein always had a fascinating way of communicating life situations.

[Ellen Weber]

Steve, Happy 2009! Great frames through which we look at life and interestingly the ones we choose often impact the outcomes we'll get back. In part these choices are influenced by gene pools for those who are mentally disposed toward more chemicals for well being, or more chemicals for angst when pressures hit. In part the choices change tomorrow by what we decide to do today.

Under pressure I decide to give generously or laugh or rest, in addition to trying a few solutions to remove the pressure, for instance. When this happens I will have created serotonin, which helps me toward more optimism. The opposite is true when we face pressure with angst.

Great post Steve, and on a core topic I've been thinking lots about lately. May we both choose well for the coming year! Thanks for raising the bigger questions and reflecting the layered responses that improve situations for all!

[Miki]

It's also important to remember that how others choose to perceive our attitudes often has nothing to do with our reality, which is based on our own perceptions no matter what any one else tell us. How I cope is primary, but only as I interpret it, not as another person's perception of it.

Steve, here's wishing you a terrific 2009!

[Steve Roesler]

Miki,

I was wondering when someone would comment on the perception part of this.

Another's way of expressing optimism may be completely different from mine. This can very well cause someone to misread my state of mind based on their own bias for "how" one behaves under certain circumstances.

Good one.

[Steve Roesler]

Hi, Ellen,

Mutual good wishes for the year ahead.

This is another post where I had hoped you would pop in. It occurred to me that there would most likely be a brain-based influence somewhere in the dynamic. Is this a chicken or egg thing? That is, does one's actions produce the particular chemical that reinforces a worldview or is there a predisposed chemical composition that each of us possesses that causes us to start a chain reaction in a certain direction?

Enquiring minds want to know. . .

[Isabela]

cool post!