I'm 63 years old and still dream of living on a small farm, like 5-10 acres, growing a good vegetable garden, flowers, having chickens and goats and playing with my as yet unborn (and not even in the pipeline yet) grandchildren. That's my form of optimism. My mother had it, too, was not ready to leave this world when she, at age 83, went in for a lung biopsy to assure she could withstand shoulder surgery. She bled out on the table and was gone in minutes. She wanted to live for a good long time. I do, too. My husband says he would like to see our children get married, but that's about it. He has no inclination to pursue new things. His thoughts and ideas have been formed and are permanent.
Some great insights here Tanja and I've often wondered if an optimistic nature is acquired or inherited. It does seem a character trait that is inherent in some way.
I didn't know of Beth Hart but she must be an optimist judging from the song you shared. (By the way - great voice and excellent and simple backing). Just looking at Beth and looking at the way she sang the song - I don't think I'd like to get into a fight with her - she looks pretty tough!
It struck me that optimism has some commonality with faith - and interesting to see the Bonhoeffer quote. It has strong elements of the definition given in the Book of Hebrews: "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1) - there is quite an interesting an long section in the rest of Hebrews Chapter 11.
I suppose that the long answer is that you have to understand on what you base your optimism; otherwise, it is just wishful thinking.
Australians have this as part of their character. When the bad bushfires were ravaging the mountains around here and in Sydney in 2019, I saw a young man being interviewed in a singlet and shorts, standing with a tiny stream of water coming out of a hose. In the background, you could see flames about 100m high (they were probably further away than they looked). The reporter asked him: "Are you worried?" The young man answered: "No, I reckon it will be alright!" I remember being staggered and thinking - that's optimism, but it may be fatal. This I think is the Australian character which could be why 98% people took the COVID vaccines.
Thanks for giving us, as usual, something to consider
I'm 63 years old and still dream of living on a small farm, like 5-10 acres, growing a good vegetable garden, flowers, having chickens and goats and playing with my as yet unborn (and not even in the pipeline yet) grandchildren. That's my form of optimism. My mother had it, too, was not ready to leave this world when she, at age 83, went in for a lung biopsy to assure she could withstand shoulder surgery. She bled out on the table and was gone in minutes. She wanted to live for a good long time. I do, too. My husband says he would like to see our children get married, but that's about it. He has no inclination to pursue new things. His thoughts and ideas have been formed and are permanent.
Thank you for sharing this, Carla. Everyone sees the world differently and sometimes the best we can do is finding common ground to build on.
Some great insights here Tanja and I've often wondered if an optimistic nature is acquired or inherited. It does seem a character trait that is inherent in some way.
I didn't know of Beth Hart but she must be an optimist judging from the song you shared. (By the way - great voice and excellent and simple backing). Just looking at Beth and looking at the way she sang the song - I don't think I'd like to get into a fight with her - she looks pretty tough!
It struck me that optimism has some commonality with faith - and interesting to see the Bonhoeffer quote. It has strong elements of the definition given in the Book of Hebrews: "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1) - there is quite an interesting an long section in the rest of Hebrews Chapter 11.
I suppose that the long answer is that you have to understand on what you base your optimism; otherwise, it is just wishful thinking.
Australians have this as part of their character. When the bad bushfires were ravaging the mountains around here and in Sydney in 2019, I saw a young man being interviewed in a singlet and shorts, standing with a tiny stream of water coming out of a hose. In the background, you could see flames about 100m high (they were probably further away than they looked). The reporter asked him: "Are you worried?" The young man answered: "No, I reckon it will be alright!" I remember being staggered and thinking - that's optimism, but it may be fatal. This I think is the Australian character which could be why 98% people took the COVID vaccines.
Thanks for giving us, as usual, something to consider