What's the difference?

I have heard so many people this past year say that they were neither pessimist nor optimist. They all claim to be realist. It's true most people know the definition of the first two words, but it has become apparent to me that not to many actually know what a realist is. And the reason is that they don't know what REAL is. So the reason for this blog is to try and shed some light on the differences between the three different states of mind. Now I'm sure some of you will disagree with my opinion and that's fine, but from the readings I have done over the past so many months, I really do think I have a grasp on what I am talking about. So here we go.

For the sake of not sounding negative, I will start with optimism. When some one is an optimist they always see good in any subject. They always try to see the light at the end of the tunnel, the silver lining around those dark clouds. This may sound like a pretty positive way to view the world, and in some aspects it is, but you can't be so optimistic that it blurs your vision on the pain and suffering that goes on outside your door. Some people believe as long as their own little corner of the world is happy, that's all that matters, and they couldn't be more wrong. Every living being on this planet is interconnected with each other. What happens in the middle east does have an affect on our lives, whether you want to believe it or not. Closing your eyes and minds to the troubles in the world, is like turning your back on the ocean, sooner or later it's gonna knock you on your face.

Now for our Debbie downers, these people spend their lives always waiting for the bubble to burst. They always expect the worst to come out of any situation and they can never see anything good in their lives to be happy about. This is definitely the wrong view of the world. If this is the way you see your life, you are robbing yourself of so much. You will never find happiness and your life will never feel complete. I don't care who you are, if you are able to read this blog right now, you have somethings in your life that you should feel thankful and happy for. But most pessimist's would rather use those things as an excuse to feel miserable instead of happy. And the reason why they do that is because they feel if they let themselves feel to happy, when the bubble bursts, they will feel ten times more depressed. So they are content with just remaining in this emotional void, depriving themselves of real happiness. And that is a very sad life to live.

Now for you so called realist out there. You claim to see the world and the people in it for what they really are, but what you think is real is basically just your opinion. An opinion that you have created from your limited experiences. First, lets talk about all those little bumps in the road that make you so angry at the world. Lets say you get a flat tire, on a busy highway, that is enough to get most of you really pissed off. But that just an everyday occurrence that 99% of the population has been through at least once in their life. But now it has happened to you, and you are pissed. Did you really believe that it wasn't ever going to happen to you? Are you so special that your tire should be indestructible? Life is filled with all kinds of little surprises, some good some bad and if you were a realist you would see that that is just how the world works. You would except it for what it is and go on with your day, not letting it affect you mentally or emotionally. Then there are the people that we see in our everyday lives. Maybe some of these people annoy you, maybe they don't have the same mannerisms or beliefs or work ethic as you do. But if you were a realist you would know that out of all the billions of people in the world ,we are all different. Are you really going through life expecting everyone to be the way you think they should be? Are you really going to let those little annoyances cause you to see them as not being good people? That's not very realistic is it?

To be a true realist, it takes a lot of observation of life from every angle. We can't just continue to view the world from our own perspective. We have to take time and try and see where the other guy is coming from. We have to train ourselves to see the whole picture from a wider scope. It's not all that hard to do, but it does take a lot of effort on your part. Next time something happens to you, take a minute to consider how many other people in the world are going through the same exact thing at that very minute. Knowing that you are not alone, makes it easier to deal with. And the next time you are dealing with someone who annoys you, stop and remember that we are all raised differently, we all have our own personalities, and even if you don't agree with the way they are, maybe there are people in the world that don't agree with how you are. In the end, the world is a lot more real then the way most of us see it. So try and look for the good in others and don't sweat the little things. Life is way to short for that nonsense. Blessings and Love to you all. ~ BUBBA