I prefer to be a terrible optimist, and, you're right, it was about believing in predictions, being convinced the positive predictions would come to pass, as they often do.
But then I received a cancer diagnosis. That was the complete opposite of my prediction about myself. And now the threat of its return always looms over me. I no longer believe it will stay away just because I wish it so. But, I live in possibility... the possibility of good health. No longer a prediction.
"Optimism is a kind of performance. A way of pretending that if we stay upbeat enough, the universe will take the hint"
"There’s something almost devotional about our obsession with prediction"
I think that's a bit extreme. I am pretty sure you are an "predicting optimist" too, every day.
When you go get a coffee at the neighborhood coffee shop in the morning, you are predicting that the coffee shop will be open, that you will safely cross the streets, that your apartment won't burn in the meantime.
Every human action in life depends upon those optimistic micro-predictions
That’s such a good point! But I would also challenge it a little bit, I think human life also depends on accepting possibilities.
By going for coffee I accept the possibility that the coffee shop might not be open, I might not safely cross the street or my apartment might burn in the meantime.
My acceptance of possibilities I think are “bad” is based on one or more of the following three ideas:
- my belief that the risk is sufficiently small that I should not worry about it
- my confidence that I can handle that bad possibility, should it happen
- my belief that the upside of taking that risk is greater than the possible downside.
I would define optimism as a belief in the successful outcome of something, which does not require the evaluation of all possibilities.
In my view, optimism can be “blind faith” whereas possibility thinking requires acknowledging all possibilities, both the “good” and “bad. “
That's true: I think this boils down to different definitions of optimism: seeing the glass half full implies looking at the glass, so it's not necessary blind.
But my point was more about prediction, about the fact that everybody predicts all the time. I think it helps to be mindful of that
Yes I agree 100%!! That’s a really good point that people define optimism differently and it’s not necessarily blind faith. I will think about this more. Thank you!!
I prefer to be a terrible optimist, and, you're right, it was about believing in predictions, being convinced the positive predictions would come to pass, as they often do.
But then I received a cancer diagnosis. That was the complete opposite of my prediction about myself. And now the threat of its return always looms over me. I no longer believe it will stay away just because I wish it so. But, I live in possibility... the possibility of good health. No longer a prediction.
I love this perspective. Thank you for sharing this wisdom, Trish!
That was supposed to say: I *used* to be a terrible optimist
"Optimism is a kind of performance. A way of pretending that if we stay upbeat enough, the universe will take the hint"
"There’s something almost devotional about our obsession with prediction"
I think that's a bit extreme. I am pretty sure you are an "predicting optimist" too, every day.
When you go get a coffee at the neighborhood coffee shop in the morning, you are predicting that the coffee shop will be open, that you will safely cross the streets, that your apartment won't burn in the meantime.
Every human action in life depends upon those optimistic micro-predictions
That’s such a good point! But I would also challenge it a little bit, I think human life also depends on accepting possibilities.
By going for coffee I accept the possibility that the coffee shop might not be open, I might not safely cross the street or my apartment might burn in the meantime.
My acceptance of possibilities I think are “bad” is based on one or more of the following three ideas:
- my belief that the risk is sufficiently small that I should not worry about it
- my confidence that I can handle that bad possibility, should it happen
- my belief that the upside of taking that risk is greater than the possible downside.
I would define optimism as a belief in the successful outcome of something, which does not require the evaluation of all possibilities.
In my view, optimism can be “blind faith” whereas possibility thinking requires acknowledging all possibilities, both the “good” and “bad. “
That's true: I think this boils down to different definitions of optimism: seeing the glass half full implies looking at the glass, so it's not necessary blind.
But my point was more about prediction, about the fact that everybody predicts all the time. I think it helps to be mindful of that
Yes I agree 100%!! That’s a really good point that people define optimism differently and it’s not necessarily blind faith. I will think about this more. Thank you!!
Prediction, a guess.
Wild living world will surprise.
Possible, a lot.
Marisol you always are able to summarize what I am trying to say so succinctly! It’s amazing. Thank you for helping me understand myself better.
Your work, inspiring.
Feed, fuel for our ponderings...
possibilities!