- Optimism: 1. a disposition or tendency to look on the more favorable side of events or conditions and to expect the most favorable outcome
2. the belief that good ultimately predominates over evil in the world
3.the belief that goodness pervades reality
Deeply held beliefs and strong sentiments color and influence how we perceive and experience our lives. Recently I saw a blog post that proclaimed ‘some of the most courageous people in the world are small business owners’. From personal observation, I think that is true.
Small business is the fuel that runs the engine of the American economy and yet it is these entrepreneurs, many of whom are pioneers and innovators, that are under the most duress. Besieged by economic downturns, taxation, insurance and entitlement requirements set forth by the government, they soldier on through fields of daunting challenges in pursuit of their endeavors.
These individuals are so strongly motivated, that in number, their accomplishments make our economy and standard of living possible! Really.
How does this happen? Optimism.
Those with the strongest sense of this characteristic often source their strength from the unknown, the otherworldly and the divine; just as an atomic scientist holds a belief in the existence of atoms though they are unseeable,
Optimists do not necessarily base their hopeful outlooks on favorable conditions in this world, but frequently on the unseen, supernatural purposes of life that are eternal and encompassing of something far greater that what the natural realm offers.
Over time, I have come to see myself as an optimist or perhaps, have given myself permission to be an optimist. That is a subject for another time.
Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, unto which thou art also called, having made a good profession before many witnesses. 1 Timothy 6:12
Keep your heart with all vigilance,
for from it flow the springs of life. Proverbs 4:23