Are you pessimistic or optimistic about the future?
By Pose123
@Pose123 (21635)
Canada
May 20, 2009 8:58am CST
In his Commencement address to the class of 2009 at the University of Portland, Paul Hawken make the following statement: "When asked if I am pessimistic about the future, my answer is always the same: if you look at the science about what is happening on earth and aren't pessimistic, you don't understand data. But if you meet the people who are working to restore this earth and the lives of the poor, and you aren't optimistic,you haven't got a pulse". I'm sure that many of us feel pessimistic at times, all we have to do is watch the evening news. But mankind, we must remember, has seen bad times before, maybe nothing on this scale but the people of the time probably felt as we do today. The fact is there are men and women all over the world, working quietly to help bring about change and that is the way it has always been. Too often we look to government for such change but the real work is done behind the scenes by people we never hear about. We do not know the scope and scale of what's going on today because there is no way to measure it, but it is no doubt unparalleled in history. Thinking back and realizing what has been accomplished by such ordinary people in the past do make me feel more optimistic about our future, what about you?
4 people like this
9 responses
@krajibg (11923)
• Guwahati, India
21 May 09
A very apt and timely discussion. If we are to be pessimistic this is the science and if we are to be optimist this is again science too.
whats he said has the points to ponder over and the other way round too is correct. Just tell me who is on the wrong footing?
1 person likes this
@rymebristol (1808)
• Philippines
21 May 09
i want to be pessimistic for my future but whenever i think of it, i feel scared and just want to cry. i want to embrace all the positive outcomes but damn it, all the negatives things keeps on embracing me as well.
as i conclude this, all i can say is...the only thing that is predictable about the future is "UNCERTAINTY".
1 person likes this
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
21 May 09
Hi rymebristol, Thank you for commenting. Please remember that the only thing that is certain is change and you need to be optimistic about the future. By looking on the dark side all the time and expecting trouble, we attract into our lives. Try thinking that things have to get better and they will, if you work at it. Blessings.
@lingli_78 (12822)
• Australia
21 May 09
i try to be optimistic about my future... always... i used to be pessimistic in the past and i think it is not helping me at all... being optimistic is much better than being pessimistic as i feel that i can achieve more things in this life by being optimistic and i become a happier person... take care and have a nice day...
1 person likes this
@subha12 (18441)
• India
21 May 09
At times I am very pessimistic. It seems there is full of darkness in my life. I can't see any silver lining in the cloud. Feel terribly bad. But may be after some time, I try to fight my way. I try to think I can work in better way to make a better future.But it goes on and on. There are so many bad things in my life, that always bring me to the brink.
1 person likes this
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
21 May 09
Hi subha, Thank you for responding. I speak from experience when I tell you that the way you think can make a tremendous difference in your life. The only thing certain in life is change and by expecting things to get better we create a better future for ourselves. I am not trying to minimize your troubles because I've been there and know how hard it is to rise above it. Seek the support of good friends because it's difficult to handle such trouble alone. Blessings.
@Mercy2424 (43)
• China
21 May 09
I'm very inspired by what you'v written.I think,normally,everyone has a pessimistic side,even though he or she looks so optimistic in daily life.I'm a really optimistic person!I won't keep asking for more,a bit of pleasure will make me happy for a long time.The lfe's sorrow can't bother me,I may easily forget it.I always believe that good child will have a beautiful future~so I said to myself,all the difficulties are leading a way to a better life!
1 person likes this
@sreenidhi (31)
• India
21 May 09
well...How about this one? You Be a OPtimist thinking in a pessimistic way..got it? what i mean is suppose i want to perform a task.. I do think in a pessimistic way like I CANT DO THIS TASK.. Silently beside i show to the world i can do this? I hope everyone got what am trying to say
1 person likes this
@Beertjie (976)
• South Africa
21 May 09
I am optiminstic about everything in life. I have been through very dificult situations and sometimes though it would never get better. It always get better. I realised that whatever happens, it will always get better. Even when threatened with serious illness, if the illness never goes away, then I die, then the illness is gone, that's better.
As for threatening deseases all over the world is concerned, as you say, we have very capable people working on it day and night. We have nothing to fear.
I am a Christian and from this point of view, I place all my hope in God. I know that whatever happens to me, is for the best. Even if I suffer for a time, as I have many times, these sufferings made me stronger, and helped many others who were inspired by the way I handled the situations. I have had many comments that because I am always positive, even in bad times, I am an inspiration.
Yes, I am an optimist, but only because of my believe in God who gives me the strength to be.
Blessings
@Mirita (2668)
• United States
21 May 09
I feel very optimistic about the future because we have a lot
of heroes around the World ,but the media is usually more
interested in all the bad things that are happening. We have
people engaging in environmental issues and others helping around
the world to end up poverty and disease. We just need to get more
involved in ending corruption ,so every country can provide their
people a decent life full of opportunities ,and freedom should never
be taken away from people. Injustice needs to be defeated ,and is
about time to concentrate on Africa and Latin America ,and we need
to make sure that any funding given to this part of the World is used
wisely.
1 person likes this
@savypat (20216)
• United States
20 May 09
Things that I can control in my life are very small and so I try not to concern myself with anything I can't control. If the earth sheds mankind tomorrow so be it.
I can only live as though that will not happen, when an if it does, well I'm not going to get out of this life alive anyway. I don't know if you can call this pessimistic or optimistic?
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