The way I see it...

[Boost]

This is a quote I happen to come across that I thought was interesting...well interesting enough to share anyways :)

Because true conservatives are pessimists, they are happier than liberals, for three reasons. First, Pessimists are rarely surprised. Second, when they are wrong they are delighted to be so. Third, pessimists do not put their faith in princes – in government. They understand that happiness is a function of fending for oneself. Happiness is an activity; it is inseparable from the pursuit of happiness.

George F. Will
Pulitzer Prize – winning author and columnist.

[dk]

I'm somewhere between conservative and liberal. Not sure exactly where I fit, nor do I care. But one thing for certain is that I'm damn happy to be an optimist. I don't set unreasonable goals, so I'm rarely let down. The cup is always half full, and there's always more where that came from. I'm never surprised because I'm a realist, I adjust my thinking on the rare occasion I'm wrong, and rather than place absolute trust on anyone, my trust must be earned.

So you could really swap the words conservative and liberal in the quote and use it as a zinger against any group you wanted. Heck, you could probably swap any two words in the dictionary and use it as propaganda. Let me try:

Because true athiests are pessimists, they are happier than Christians for three reasons. First, athiests are rarely surprised. Second, when they are wrong, they are delighted to be so. Third, athiests do not put their faith in princes - in government. They understand that happiness is a function of fending for oneself. happiness is an activity; it is inseparable from the persuit of happiness.

See what I did there? Ok, maybe it wasn't an exact match, but close enough.

And I'm not trying to stir up a religious debate. I just thought this quote was too easy to pick apart.

There is a grey area when it comes to conservatives and liberals, but conservatives and liberals alike tend to see it as black and white, which is rediculous. There is a middle-ground. It does exist. You can pretend it away, but it does exist.

[Boost]

I consider myself a realist as well which usually gets interpreted as being a pessimist by some. Which may be the case, and I feel like that quote applies to me which is why I kind of like it.

[Tempestuous]

What you focus on increases...... if a pessimist sits there sayin nothing ever goes well for me, what happens...they aren't surprised cause nothing went well for them cause they sat there mumbling about it's bad and getting worse.

Plus you tend to attract more of what you have and are. Misery loves company....fellowship requires fellows on the same ship as you.

There is a difference between " get real " optimism and seeing the glass is half full.

[dk]

I consider myself a realist as well which usually gets interpreted as being a pessimist by some. Which may be the case, and I feel like that quote applies to me which is why I kind of like it.
Yeah, I actually felt the quote applied to myself as well, and I've been labeled as a liberal quite a few times. Which is why I decided to pick it apart. :p Nothing personal.

[dk]

fellowship requires fellows on the same ship at you.
You ought to write a book! ;)

[Boost]

You ought to write a book! ;)

See Temp, I told you this as well!

[dk]

See Temp, I told you this as well!
She should probably get a Segway while she's at it.

http://www.japanupdate.com/forum/showthread.php?t=148

[Tempestuous]

You ought to write a book! ;)

A book of lame jokes so I can keep them off your forums? :D


On topic though,
every day you have opportunities coming at you....
you either notice them and take action,
you walk on by without noticing
or you see it but in your pessimism you don't grab the opportunity because "what's the use?".

[Boost]

you see it but in your pessimism you don't grab the opportunity because "what's the use?".

Ouch...I think I am a little offended! Or not because I am not a pessimist, I am a realist :D

[Tempestuous]

Being a Realist is not just a nice term for one's negativity. :)

They supposedly see things literally and accept that and acts accordingly void of emotional reaction.

I am not sure I buy that either of you are honestly realists.
:)

[dk]

I am not sure I buy that either of you are honestly realists.:)
Well, I used the term optimist and realist in my post describing myself, so I guess I don't completely buy the fact that I'm a diehard realist either. But it's rare when I'm surprised, and what I plan for often happens, so... I dunno. :P

What'd you call that? I guess you can't be both a realist and an optimist. Can you? I dunno. It's always seemed to work for me! :confused:

[Tempestuous]

Call it "normal" ? ;)
I dunno.
I am more on the optimist side, but I know people, and relatively plan for them to act according to their regular ways. Like you, I'm not surprised too often.

[dk]

Ok, I'm "normal" then. I think this is probably the first time anyone's ever called me "normal" lol.

I tell ya, I've been called a lot of things! Just not normal.:p

[DougP]

Oldest thread in the "Miscellaneous Topics" bump! :D

[Ayzil]

Ok, I'm "normal" then. I think this is probably the first time anyone's ever called me "normal" lol.

I tell ya, I've been called a lot of things! Just not normal.:p

I guess there isn't a lot that's changed.