Glass Half Empty

"An optimist will tell you the glass is half-full; and the pessimist will tell you it is inappropriate because the glass is twice the size it needs to be."


humbug...

I have seen a glimpse of Dr. Phil on late TV. And somehow I found an ally on my pessimism. Not that I say Dr. Phil is a pessimist. I might say that Dr. Phil is a balanced man. In his book "Real life", he talked about having being ready for one's life challenges so that when it comes, (definitely) you would be ready. When the bad and dim side of life which is in reality inevitable comes, we should already have seen it coming. The earlier you foresee it, the better the chances you know how to deal with it. The better the chances you overcome it. The better the chances you would succeed.

One thing the optimist is lacking because nobody is perfect is that he sees everything on its bright side. (that's one good reason all of us has a negative side into us) The optimist believes that whatever comes in his way, will pass and pass with little or no harm. What he doesn't know is that life does not operate that way. One example is Dr. Phils interview with a seemingly perfect family in the US. They thought they have lived the perfect life until the inevitable came. They were devastated. They never knew what to do. Had they foreseen this, they would have been prepared for it, much less take steps to prevent it.

"The optimists never looks at the dark side. He isn't prepared for the worst." Another example is from Oprah's show. A wealthy six digit income earning family thought they have the good life then the crisis came. Don't say I didn't warn you! Had they seen this coming, they would have prepared for it so when it comes, your castle is fortified. "The optimist never sees the waves coming to smash his ship because he is busy seeking light beneath the dark clouds."

Another example is written in history. The Greeks tricked the Trojans because of a horse. The Trojans thought they have won. And the large wooden horse was taken home as a trophy. They were very much elated with their victory they never have prepared for the worst. Had there been a pessimist in their midst they should have first checked the gift before partying around. There's a very thin line between being optimistic and being careless.

'The optimist only sees good in other people. They are not prepared for the bad that is to come.'

You may seem to find my post a little disturbing. You also may find it a little stupid. But all I have to say that without the pessimists in the world, the world may not exist anymore. They Yang will not exist without the Yin. The good without the evil. There would be no bluckbuster movies without the antagonists. And there would be no lightbulb, no Curium, no pennicillin, no steel, no automobile, no electricity, no life without the instinct of the humankind to tend to think awkwardly. There would be no such discoveries if those men didn't suffered in the first place. Without the Yin to balance the Yang the world is in chaos.

I'm not telling you to be negativists either. All I'm pointing is that pessimists are also an important part of the society. They are not helpless. And as long as they do not cross the border and hurt others in any way, they are normal. And as long as being pessimistic does not endanger one's self and others, they are relevant and have value to our world.

"I'm a pessimist because of intelligence, but an optimist because of will."