by Mitchel Roy

Created on: March 03, 2007   Last Updated: May 11, 2007

I have a tendency to be pessimistic. Life is harsh, nothing every goes right. Everything seems to follow Murphy's law which says if anything can go wrong, it will. Whine, whine, pout, pout, grumble, grumble. Why should we be optimistic? Here's a few reasons.

You are a human being, which means you will interact with other human beings. These interactions can be either positive or negative. If you want them to be positive, being optimistic will help. People will laugh at satirical pessimism, but there is no better way to cheer people up and make them think better thoughts than by being optimistic. Optimism does wonders to morale. By being optimistic, not only will you feel better, but you will help others around you as well.

The other reason is expressed in the song by Relient K called "Life After Death and Taxes" In the bridge it says "Never forget, there's life after death and taxes. Forgiveness comes and all of the rest is what passes away. Death and decay can't touch us now." If you're a Christian, then you have no excuse not to be optimistic, because you know there is life after death and taxes.

Sometimes you just don't feel any optimism. Should you just act optimistic? Well, If you act optimistic long enough you will find yourself being truly optimistic. But there are a few other ways to bring on optimism when your feeling pessimistic.

One way is to make yourself think of a few good things about your current situation or life in general. Don't allow yourself to defiantly claim that there isn't any. Keep searching till you find a few good things, there will be some. When you get yourself to think about the 'silver lining' it will help you to be more positive.

Another way is to not dwell on the present situation but to look to the future. Get yourself in problem solving mode by thinking of what you can do about your situation. Don't let yourself think about how they will fail. By getting immersed in formulating a game plan you can distract yourself from negativity.

There will always be times when we will cry, there will always be times when we want to kill ourselves, but when your in the dark valley don't forget to look up and see the sky above you. Always remember, "there is life after death and taxes"

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