Is it possible to be "blindingly optimistic"

Question

I see the good in EVERYTHING. Nothing brings and keeps me down for long. I know that this is a good aspect of my personality, but is there a way being so optimistic can hurt me. Especially when i emerge into the real world. What is the difference in being "optimistic" and being a realist?

I want to stay as positive as possible but is there a way to no be so naive.

Answer 1

why don't we become friends? i've been called a realist, a pessimist sometimes. I prefer realist of course. You'll teach me optimism and i'll teach you realism. :)

Answer 2

but that's exactly how to survive a cruel world

have you ever seen an optimistic person's house?

compare that to someone not so optimistic

where would you rather live?

Answer 3

I do think you meant "blindly" optimistic, although I think it's also possible to be "blindingly" optimistic: that is, optimistic in a way that blinds others. Sometimes that's a good thing; there are times when the only way to make things better is to try, no matter what the odds, and charismatic leaders have done a lot of good. (They've also done a lot of harm, but usually because their chosen actions were bad, not because the objective wasn't worth the risks.) JFK's promise to land a person on the moon in that decade is a pretty good example; it got done only because of his optimism.

But you are worried about being blindly optimistic, and yes, sometimes it can get you hurt. But the best protection you've got isn't to hide in fear, but to base your optimism on preparation.

For example, you could refuse to go on a backpacking and camping trip (and sit home doing nothing nearly as fun) because of insects, weather, wild animals, accidents, getting lost, etc., or you could prepare with bug spray, sunscreen, plastic-bagged spare socks, good protective clothing, GPS, maps, and so forth and go out and probably have a great time. (If that's to your taste, but anything else could serve as a similar example.)

It's often said the advantage of pessimism is that the pessimist is never disappointed (except, perhaps, when things go well!) but the fact is that the pessimist often makes things worse by not taking normal risks.

Pessimists aren't the same as realists. Reality includes the good stuff, too. And there's nothing safe about missing all the good stuff because you're afraid of the bad.

Be safe. Be aware. Know what's out there. But use that knowledge to protect yourself, not to stop yourself dead in your tracks while you're still alive.

Answer 4

P.1217 - §4 Mind is your ship, the Adjuster(Spirit) is your pilot, the human will is captain. The master of the mortal vessel should have the wisdom to trust the divine pilot to guide the ascending soul into the morontia(next life) harbors of eternal survival. Only by selfishness, slothfulness, and sinfulness can the will of man reject the guidance of such a loving pilot and eventually wreck the mortal career upon the evil shoals of rejected mercy and upon the rocks of embraced sin. "

My point is you are in control of reality and it is real if you trust that guide within mind.

Answer 5

The word "blindingly" means "radiating light sufficient to blind observers," so no, you can't be blindingly optimistic. You might be blindly optimistic, though.

I think being unable or unwilling to see any potential for negative outcome can hurt you badly in your professional and personal lives. If you aim for something difficult--a big promotion, selling that book you wrote, winning the heart of that amazing woman--and don't consider the possibility of failure, you won't be prepared for failure when it happens. (And it will, of course, at least some of the time.) You might fare better if you were cautiously optimistic, yet steeled yourself for failure and had a plan for what you would do when and if that happened.

Answer 6

Ok, optimism is good because it makes us feel all warm and fuzzy, but it is never good to ignore the bad things that happen.  Think hard, in everything you do, don't just see the good, but also see the bad, sometimes we are not so lucky that the choice that makes us happy in the right one.  sometimes doing the right thing feels bad.  

There's the old Aristotle saying, "Ignorance is bliss, but it's the bliss of a pig." A realist sees everything for what it is.  An optimist sees only what they want to see.   And to reply to the response about which house you would rather live in, I would have to rebuttle and say: When someone comes up to you and says they have good news and bad news, do you ever just want to hear the good news and not the bad?  If this happens at the hospital and they tell you the good news, which is that your family member doesn't feel pain anymore, are you content? If the bad news is that they are dead? or that they have suffered massive nerve damage? It is our nature to want to know exactly what is going on.  

Answer 7

Luv Hip,

Yes, optomism can be detrimental in the real world unfortunately! I want to believe there are good intentions in us all, but if you are taken advantage of in a situation, you can't tell me some feelings or anger won't arise in you because of that persons actions against you! But what will level you out is that you are sure footed in this world and that you truly realize the evil that must exist with the good!

Answer 8

Nah I don't think so. But I think you need to get down to earth and into the real world to avoid getting hurt. Sometimes I prefer being pessimistic so that I never get disappointed, and when good things happen, I'm really really happy.