Sparks: Week #20
I was a pessimist growing up and well into my adult life. My reasoning was that if I never expected anything good to happen, I would never be disappointed or dissatisfied with an outcome. Conversely, if something turned out well, I would be surprised and delighted. A variety of things have occurred in the past 20 years that have influenced my thinking.
An optimist is a person who tends to be hopeful and confident about the future or the success of something. Though no longer a pessimist, I wouldn’t call myself an optimist. But I do try to see the silver lining in every occurrence, good or bad.
I was not familiar with Nicholas M. Butler before finding this quote. As you may not know about him either, here’s a bit of information from Wikipedia.
Nicholas Murray Butler (April 2, 1862 – December 7, 1947) was an American philosopher, diplomat and educator. Butler was the 12th president of Columbia University (1902-1945), president of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and a recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize.
This is another of Dad Tom’s photos. It was taken just outside the catio.
I am joining Annie (McGuffy’s Reader) for her Sparks blog hop. In establishing the hop, she wrote this, “I believe we are meant to be lights in this world. If we allow our light to shine, we can see where we are going. It is then that we can begin to truly see each other clearly. Together, we can light up the entire world!” This is what makes Sparks so special and why I look forward to participating each week.
If you’d like to join the hop, click on the Sparks badge.
I think I am mostly optimistic, because my hope is in God who has control over everything. He makes adversity turn to good, though it may take ears to learn how…and he keeps me in His tender care all the days of my life. Sounds too simple? Yup. The foolishness of man is the wisdom of God. (From 1st Corinthians 18 – 25.)
Mama has the same philosophy. She remembers being disappointed by a plan that didn’t push through when she was a child and so she has never believe something is going to happen until it is happening.
Oh, I likes that quote! Ma, too, is just like you! Neither a pessimist or an optimist. I thinks it depends on the day. She is full of hope, butts not blindly. Prepare for the worst, hope for the best! (unless an Airedale trips you and you fall down and sprain your ankle….BOL!!!! I would NEVER! ☺)
Kisses,
Ruby ♥
I fixed your link. The Linky Tool is a bit finicky. So, ultimately, I deleted your link and just re-entered you. Janet, I am a realist. My life experiences taught me to never expect anything, good or bad. It is for the reasons you have cited. However, I always hope for the best. Hope sustains us. And, I have faith that God is always there….ultimately, I believe He is. He gives me the strength to handle what I need to. The evil in the world is there because of man, not God. Man’s free will is greedy. But, the heart and soul of man was made pure. That is what we need to listen to for guidance. Namasté. ~xo~
Very nice Sparks post. Mom is trying VERY hard to be an optimist.
The Florida Furkids with bazillion kisses and tons of love to Mau from Allie
That’s a great quote. The mom isn’t a pessimist but probably leans more towards being an optimist. She tries to look for the positive as hard as that can be sometimes. We like that photo too.
Great photo, very optimistic squirrel. I like your spark too. One of my friends in college used to act pessimistic, but claimed to be a realist- maybe that is what you are. 🙂 It is hard to always see the bright side especially when our kitties are sick, that is when I have the toughest time. XO
Claire would not say she’s an optimistic or a pessimistic, she would rather say she’s realistic. We would say she’s an optimistic though : she still believes that “NO” belongs to our vocabulary, MOL ! Purrs
The squirrel is closer to the bird food than the bird, in the photo! Cute!
I was raised by pessimists.
I’m far more optimistic than pessimistic. We are what we are. Doesn’t make either right or wrong. Looking for the silver lining is a good thing though. If we don’t look for it, we’ll never find the good. Sometimes you have to look very hard.
Have a fabulous day filled with wonderful Sparks. ♥
Yep, I was always an optimist growing up. Once I got older, I didn’t necessarily become a pessimist but I, like you, just look for the silver lining! That’s a great photo and quote! 😀
That’s a goodie fur sure!
Mom said she loves your quote here and one day soon she will participate in this. XX
I’ve always been an optimist as far back as I can remember. I certainly had a whole lot of disappointments and sadness but when the dust settled I actually could look back and find something I had learned from those times. That’s kept me optimistic. I guess I’m “IN” for the duration with my positivity – after all, at my age I’m not about to stop looking for the good; those moments are more precious as we get older.
Love your SPARK today dear Janet…………AND Tom’s photo – that squirrel looks optimistic to me!
Hugs, Pam
My momma tries to be an optimist, but it can be tuff.