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On the road of life, it is very common to get lost, saddened, and distressed. These situations are troublesome. Yet, I find this quotation, from an unknown person, alleviates the stress from these circumstances in life: "The really happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery when on a detour." When one lives by this advice, he will find that minor troubles in life, that were once major dilemmas, are resolved with ease. By looking for the good in the situation, he bypasses all of the clogged, congested roads in life. As a result, it is only when he becomes optimistic that it is possible for him to steer his way back to his path and find joy and happiness in everyday life.

Many years ago, there was a very tragic event that made my life dark and gloomy: my great-grandmother, Ween, passed away. Because I was incredibly close to her, I felt very upset. This woman, who acted almost as my second mother, shared many great memories with me. The most memorable of them, bowling and eating at Wendy's, were some of the best times I have ever had. As a result, I felt down and out when I realized that we would no longer be able to enjoy our time together. However, I remembered that she had lived a long life and no longer had to suffer. Having an optimistic attitude, I kept reminding myself that no matter how bad I felt, I would always have someone that I could trust and admire. Also, she would not have to live with the struggles in her life. Although I no longer spend time with her, I still admire her greatly and cherish the reminiscences that she helped to create.
Because my original middle school was the worst among the bad, after sixth grade, I moved to a new school. I knew nobody. All of my decade old friendships were gone. Consequently, I was quiet and reserved. As a result, it was very difficult to make new friends. I spent the entire seventh grade secluded from others, and started eighth grade off in the same manner. Tired of not having friends, I had to make a decision: should I continue to be quiet, or should I take the risk of talking to someone, and possibly be by disliked by he or she. Luckily, when choosing between two evils, I prefer to choose the evil of which I am unacquainted. I looked to future friendships and what they might bring. Thankfully, I adjusted to this risky, but optimistic, attitude. After making this change, I made new friends and my eighth grade year was not as dreadful as it started out to be.
When there is a detour in life, it can be very difficult to have an optimistic mindset. Fortunately, I have been able to live an optimistic life. Whether it was my congenial great-grandmother passing away, or not having a close friend to rely on, optimism helped me to find a way to break out of the congested roads in life. It was an arduous journey to find optimism in these bad situations; yet, I find optimism in the fact that others can have optimism in the most horrible of times. Take for instance this quotation from Anne Frank, "Think of all the beauty still left around you and be happy." It lifts my spirit to know that a person with all the rights to be pessimistic and bitter, Anne Frank, could find optimism in such dreadful times as her's. Thus, I believe that there is no excuse to live pessimistically. Everyone should live an optimistic life.

Learn more about this author, Taylor Williams.
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