Optimism is the “ism” that changed
According to World Dictionary, “optimism is the tendency to expect the best and see the best in all things.” This was an “ism,” that caused me a great deal of stress and anxiety
Today, I realize certain words in that definition like” expect the best” were getting me in trouble, especially, when my tendency was to focus on an expectation of superior results. I never
had control over the final outcome of any action I chose to take. I somehow thought that by expecting it to happen, it would and most of the time it didn’t. This pattern continued for many
years, until I realized my expectations were creating more stress and disappointment in my life. The word “best,” in my former “ism” conjures up images of pressure to perform by raising
the “efforts” bar and comparing my results to other standards and individual performances. How do we know when something is the best result? If I create a good result is it the best result?
How do I know it is the best result if I don’t compare it to something else or someone else’s individual performance? I have to measure it against something else to determine if it is better.
It could be a never ending battle. I chose to end that “ism” battle” and create a new redefined “ism.” I have learned that living with optimism needs to be realistic and humble. I can hope for
a desired result but no matter what happens I can still find value in learning a lesson from every result that manifests. Today, my new definition of optimism is an “attitude of looking at every
action as a learning experience and integrating the learned lessons into new actions with the hope of creating more growth, fulfillment, and joy in every moment. Right now, optimism is an
“ism” I can take wherever I go.
What is optimism for you? Has it changed? If it has,how is it different?
