Optimism is not only expecting the best in a situation. It is also seeing the enjoyable in even the worst situations and staying hopeful even when all hope seems to have faded. On the other hand, pessimism, besides expecting the worst, is also throwing away hope when troubles arise, and looking at even an tremendous circumstance and focusing on the negative. Although it is foolish to ignore completely the unpleasant, it is most unwise to dwell on it, and ignore any merit in a situation. With all excellence there is inevitably some mediocrity and visa-versa, but by being optimistic in any situation one keeps hope alive, has an easier time dealing with anything life throws at them, and generally will be a happier person.

            Hope is the belief that will help men fight for their country. It is the factor that will keep them fighting even when outnumbered. Without hope our nation’s forefathers would not have been able to throw off the shackles of the British. It is the light at the end of the tunnel. Hope is the desire for something accompanied by the expectation of its fulfillment. This belief is a great and glorious thing. It can keep a family strong even after a tragic loss, or rally a people to stand up for their rights. Without the hope of equality the African Americans probably would not have stood fast and firm in their beliefs during the more hostile periods of the civil rights movement. If the focus is solely on the negative of a problem and they cannot see the potential good, then how can they be motivated to solve the issue? By expecting the worst and seeing the negative one is quickly led down the path to despair, but by looking for the positive and expecting the best hope is born which can even be the one thing keeping a man alive.

            There are many issues that come up in the course of a lifetime. Many that will be happy, and some that will be sad. There is one perspective that will almost always make the unhappy times smoother, and that is having an optimistic outlook. If there is only the thought that nothing superior can come from this, or that it will never improve then one can easily become lost in despair. It is very hard to function when there is no hope around, or even when the thought of accomplishment is marred by thoughts that even the best is still substandard. This is why the optimistic view is better, because if you think that something can be done and be done well then you give yourself the confidence to fulfill it. If, on the other hand, you think of failure as the only outcome, you will not be motivated to work hard and try to change it.