Why are some people ALWAYS optimistic while others are perennial pessimists. Is it nature or nurture? I think it’s more nurture than nature. We are conditioned to view the world based on who and what surrounds us. People who grew up during the Great Depression, for example, had a knack for pessimism. A lot of them had seen wars destroy everything they knew and governments create economic destruction adding insult to injury. Many people that grew up in subsequent times of peace and prosperity tend to be more optimistic.
However, the reality still remains that our outlook on life is largely based on our surroundings and our ability to interpret our lives through the right lense and perspective. I’ve been thinking a lot about Heaven’s perspective lately. I believe Heaven is ALWAYS optimistic. I believe that when God looks at our lives, He doesn’t see or focus on the misgivings and the things that are not going right. I believe He sees the beauty of His creation and is able to separate us from the stains of sin and the failures of fallen man.
Optimism is sometimes confused with being naive. This is far from reality. Optimism looks for opportunities for a turnaround while a naive mindset simply thinks and hopes things will get better on their own. An optimist will say: “Every setback is a setup for a comeback”. They see opportunity in every failure, either to learn something or to set themselves up for later success. They always look to live another day to make a difference in their world and that of others.
Ultimately, there are two types of people; those who see the opportunity to spring back and those who wallow in their failures. The one we become is largely based on who and what we surround ourselves with. Those who consistently seek the opportunity will always see things from an optimistic perspective. Those who dwell on failures will always have something to complain about. There’s always a good reason to complain about anything and everything under the sun…but we don’t have to take it.
How about the optimist atheist? Well, that’s a concept! The truth is there are non believers who carry a better perspective about life than many believers. The problem is, they miss the overarching perspective of Heaven which gives us hope even when things are completely out of control. Self help books and psychological games and tricks help condition your mind to train you to think positive. Faith works on your soul, the very essence of who you are, and conditions you to seek and see Heaven’s perspective in every situation. The two are incomparable. Heaven’s perspective is ALWAYS the right perspective no matter the situation.
Find opportunity in the midst of all setbacks. Find God’s perspective and find the gold in the rough. It is ALWAYS there! The glass is neither half empty or half full. It’s the purpose of the glass that should never change regardless of the contents.
Nelson Masinde 