Throughout my life, I have worn my pessimistic outlook as a badge of honor, firmly believing that optimism is merely a trap for the gullible. I conditioned myself to be on high alert for all possible negative outcomes, convinced that this would safeguard me from disappointments. While an optimist views dark clouds as a promise of beneficial rain, I envision looming calamities—a leaky roof leading to a costly repair, or a potential flood caused by an overwhelmed drainage system. Yes, that’s me: the quintessential pessimist.
However, this year marks a departure from my usual negative lens. My journey toward a more positive outlook began when a group of inspiring authors invited me to set writing aspirations for the year. Although I felt uneasy about vocalizing my goals—fearing that revealing them might invite misfortune—I accepted the invitation.
During our gathering, we each chose a guiding theme to help navigate our yearly objectives, pushing us to step outside our comfort zones. I contemplated “Determined Optimism,” as my pessimism had drained me for years. Yet, the term “determined” seemed to overshadow the lightness of “optimism,” making it sound forced and grim. I felt too entrenched in my pessimistic ways to even feign optimism, so I abandoned the idea entirely.
For the next few weeks, anxiety consumed me. Without a theme to anchor my ambitions, I feared I would remain stagnant and unproductive. Just as I was settling into despair, I began noticing how my outlook was affecting my son, Ethan. At just 11 years old, he often groans when his artistic endeavors don’t turn out as envisioned. He calls his drawings “terrible,” despite my seeing beauty in them. If we’re tardy for a movie or he receives a disappointing grade on a math test, he anticipates disaster—missing the film entirely or failing the subject for the year. Hearing my own bleak mindset echoed in his voice was heartbreaking, and it pained me to see him stressed over events that were unlikely to unfold.
One afternoon, while driving home from school, Ethan expressed his concerns about a quiz he had taken. His tone was somber, so reminiscent of my own that I gripped the steering wheel tightly. But then, he brightened, saying, “I’ll do better on the next one.” I relaxed my grip and caught his reflection in the rearview mirror. “That’s true,” I responded, surprised by his shift in attitude.
With a smile, he shared that he had resolved to focus on the positives this year. Curious, I asked what inspired this decision. He recounted a photography project where he had accidentally damaged his camera lens after falling off a play set. “The art teacher didn’t get mad,” he recounted excitedly. “She said she would turn it into an art project. She’s an optimist, and I thought that was a good way to be.”
His enthusiasm was infectious, and it struck me how different our perspectives were. While I fixated on the potential repercussions—a possible charge for the lens or injury—Ethan saw an opportunity for creativity and learning. This realization illuminated the stark contrast between our viewpoints: pessimists worry, while optimists dream.
It is time for me to embrace dreaming again, from a place of calm and confidence. This year, I am choosing optimism over anxious fears. If you need me, I’ll be at my desk, diligently working towards my writing goals because I know I can succeed. I can feel it in my bones.
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In summary, my son has opened my eyes to the value of optimism and the potential it holds for creativity and growth. He reminds me that there is always a brighter side to challenges, and it is worth embracing that perspective.
Keyphrase: embracing positivity
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