I choose to be an optimist and I also choose to stop apologizing for it. My best friend Jackie and I had a conversation yesterday about growing up. We concluded that she is, in fact, adopted and I grew up with a very naive view of the world. I think that growing up thinking that everything was just as it seemed and everyone did things because their reasons were just and has really shaped who I am. We are optimists in a world of pessimists and we’re done apologizing for it.
The older I get the more I am not only okay with this, but very comfortable with it. When my ex-husband and I would talk about things that I wanted he would tell me some things could not happen and I would always ask “Why not?” His response was something to the effect that that’s not how the world worked. But… why not? Who made this way-the-world-works rule and why can’t it be changed? Maybe it just takes a few optimists to embrace their own world so let’s all stand proud. Accept ourselves and start asking why not and stop, for crying out loud, apologizing for how we are!
Today has been a crappy day, I will admit, however; I still choose to see the positive. I honestly have every right in the world to be upset, disappointed and angry but guess what, that’s not going to change anything. I think the normal path would be to behave or relish in those things, but remember, I am an optimist.
Sometimes things happen that are out of your control, it happens, so do not beat yourself up over it. The most important step is to decide how you will respond. Your spouse left, you lost your job, you didn’t get the promotion, your car broke down, your family disappointed you, you aren’t sure if you’re going to be able to pay the mortgage – life events. And they suck, no doubt. But guess what, the worse is over because you know what you are facing. Now how are you going to face it?
I think the status quo is the woe-is-me tunnel vision negative view. Take one incident and it consumes your whole day, week, life, identity. But try being grateful. When you get that sucky news take a moment to ingest it then stop. Stop and look around at exactly where you are and what is around you and find the good. Find the blessings and things to be appreciative for that is around you right now. For example, I am sitting in my office with three of the five dogs. The big boys are off playing somewhere.
Brutus is sleeping in the last bit of sunshine spilling onto the floor, Lexi is sleeping in the rocking chair and Micki is sleeping under the desk. My office is a bright green with white and purple accents and I love it, it is bright and energetic; the sun is shining outside, coming in on the three violets in the windowsill. I have India Arie and Norah Jones playing on my Ipod and the room is filled with the scent from my favorite candle. I am healthy and have all my senses, I can enjoy each and every sight and sound around me. I am so very fortunate that I am here in this moment able to see, appreciate and enjoy the beautiful things around me right now.
The day still sucked but now recognizing the things that are around me right now and having a best friend that told me to get off my butt and get my work done helps put things into perspective.
I cannot change today’s news but I can control how it affects me. For anyone telling me that I am being “too rosy” or unrealistic I say “Bite me”. Unpleasant events in life are going to happen and they help define who you are as a person. I can honestly look back and be grateful for the experience because it has helped shape me into the person I am today, and optimist and damn proud of it!
Lisa K. McDonald, CPRW
Certified Professional Resume Writer
Career Polish, Inc.
www.CareerPolish.com