Bethany Tucker - Choose Optimism

    Choose optimism even when in most, if not all, cases it's easier to see the negative sides of things. The entirety of a situation cannot be and should not be judged based on one limited perspective. Broaden your mind and think about the good that comes out of every scenario. A common example would be to think of yourself caught outside in the midst of a downpour. You have no umbrella, no visible shelter, and perhaps you're wearing your favorite pair of shoes. You're supposed to think, Things could be worse. Right? Personally, I feel that even this mindset allows for doubt and negativity to creep in. Maybe, instead of reflecting on your own feelings, look around and see how "your" situation is affecting others. Perhaps to your left, there are children outside dancing and giggling under the rainfall. To your right, a stray dog is eagerly lapping from a puddle because it's the first drink he's had in days. There's always more to a situation than what's impacting you.
    Choosing optimism doesn't just apply to your environment. It can also appertain to the people you come across in your day-to-day life. I fondly remember my last trip to Memphis when I was still using crutches to get around from place to place. As my family and I made our way down the sidewalk, a homeless man approached. He donned tattered clothing, and sported a scraggly white beard. He was thin and unkempt. "What happened to your leg?" He inquired, but his broken speech made it difficult to understand what he was saying. When he pointed to my leg, I finally made the connection to what he was trying to ask. I briefly explained that I had just had surgery a week or two prior, but I was healing pretty well. We continued to discuss my well-being for a few more moments before he began walking away. "I hope you get well real soon. Have a blessed day, young lady." Were his parting words before he continued in the opposite direction. It's very easy to assume the worst of people based on their appearance, but even the kindest souls can befall misfortune.
    Optimism doesn't mean the same thing as naivety. I simply advise that you think differently, positively, about the ordinary situations you find yourself in on a daily basis.