Thursday, November 7, 2024
I’m facing some pretty challenging variables. I’ve got financial decisions looming, career unknowns, and relationship uncertainties. They swirl around and create a thick cloud in my soul that sometimes makes things seem as though they are closing in on me. Remaining optimistic can be tough, but I think it might be a simple formula.
Optimism means ‘hopefulness and confidence about the future or the successful outcome of something.’ It’s hard to remain optimistic when things seem to be very quiet, resources are dwindling, or you’re facing loneliness and setbacks. It’s as though life happens under the cover of darkness. That frightens us. The prefix ‘opti’ comes from the Greek and means “light; sight.”
Something has to light us up to feel confident about the future. What is it? Is it the circumstance or our own actions that lift us up? I get a boost when something good happens, but did my enthusiasm cause it or was my enthusiasm the cause of it? I think it’s activity, not passivity that’s the key. Pacifying myself with mindlessness like TV, social media, the news, or YouTube add to the grayness of hopelessness. That creates grim futures.
The activities that give me buoyancy, cheer, and confidence about the future are biking, cooking, yard work, walking, exercise and weight training, talking with friends, writing, practicing music, and reading. They all seem to be simple and related to playfulness and joy. If I get going and get into those things, I’m confident about the future. I’m optimistic. Pacifying myself adds to my pessimism. A simple action can clear it up in no time. Optimism is lighting up with simple actions. That inner light creates brighter futures. I think that’s how it works. I’m optimistic about my theory. We’ll see.