You might as well put me in patent leather Mary Janes and a pinafore with a ribbon in my hair. I am the perennial Pollyanna who wears her optimism on her sleeve!
It’s a tricky thing I say. There are times when optimism is not very popular. Cynicism, the need for ‘proof’ and wisdom gained from experience pushes optimism aside for a more ‘realistic’ approach to matters. Positivity is thrown out the window for the sake of reality. I think that’s why some people find Pollyanna so unrealistic. Her perennial optimism denotes a certain naiveté.
So what is the value of living optimistically? I feel it has to do with finding the truth of something, then making the highest choice. Find that truth by not imposing opinions or judgments, but by using your brain and your heart. Once you reach an objective conclusion, you can still maintain optimism, no matter what. From my Pollyanna perch, this is exactly what the world needs today. It’s about living life enthusiastically with great hope, even in the face of some of the more challenging aspects of life.
Speaking from my perch again, I believe there is a process going on whereby corruption and distortion are being brought to the surface – similar to when peroxide is poured on a wound to allow it to fester and heal. These ‘wounds’ are showing up in every aspect of our lives – moral, environmental, political. These revelations give us an opportunity to see clearly what is no longer acceptable and to make different choices in the way we want our world to be. Living optimistically would mean holding out the vision for a better tomorrow while pro-actively doing whatever it takes to make it happen.
The days of shaking our heads and uttering “tsk-tsk-tsk” are over. Everyone living on this planet now is being asked to participate in making our world a more loving, equitable, caring place. One of the most powerful things we can do to free ourselves from the bondage of apathy or hopelessness is to remain optimistic that together we can pull off the most profound shift of the ages.
I envision an age where Pollyanna will no longer be an anomaly, but will reflect the promise of ferreting out the best in every circumstance. As for me, I’m ready to click my heals and go off to save the world.
-Linda
