A Note On Morning People (The World Through The Eyes of an Optimist)

"Because I am always the optimist. The hoper of far-flung hopes and the dreamer of improbable dreams."- The Doctor

So, as the title of this post implies, I will be talking about optimism.

I, like the Doctor, am an optimist.

But what makes a person an optimist? Why am I one? What is it like? 

Let's take it one question at a time.

What Makes An Optimist?

This is actually a really interesting question. Does one simply come out of the womb with a "Hello world! I'm here! Nice to meet you all!" attitude?

I don't believe so.

In my experience, I find optimism is learned.

I had to make an effort to become more optimistic. It's a daily decision, a quiet voice saying "I will look for the good in this day."

It's a choice, when in a hard situation, to say "There is good here."

It's a resolve, when doing something you may or may not like, to have a good time and make sure others do as well.

Optimists are the people who are looking for the good and helping others do the same. Do they always sparkle with energy? No. Everyone gets down sometimes. Are they always really outgoing? No, they're not. Don't confuse "optimistic" with "high energy".

An optimist is a person who decides there is good in every situation and seeks to make it known, who wishes to enjoy it. Who chooses to look forward to things with excitement and not worry about what might go wrong, though they do not do so perfectly. This is what they strive for.

Why Are You An Optimist?

Because it is so much better to be looking for the rainbows than just watching the stormclouds. Because it is so much lighter to dance in the rain instead of worrying about getting wet.

Because we've only got so many breaths and I'd rather smile while I take them.

Because there's a whole lot of ugly in this world and if we're not careful we can miss the beautiful.

Because I want to leave a beautiful legacy behind, a legacy of smiling for and because of Christ.

Because, in Christ, we are conquerors. There is no need to worry. We have a hope that is secure and strong.

Life is fun. Life is beautiful. Life is a gift and I mean to enjoy it and to help others do the same.

What Is It Like To Be An Optimist?

It is simply to live the life you love with a positive outlook on what tomorrow will bring. It's hard sometimes, yes. But it's good. Sometimes people laugh. Sometimes people get annoyed. Sometimes people would like you to quietly disappear for a very long time.

But it's so, so good.

Because sometimes you get to see people smile with you. Sometimes you bring a little bit of happiness into a life that needs it. You can help someone stop thinking about all the blackness and look at the world with a little more color.

It's wonderful.

It's draining and sometimes hard but it is so, so wonderful.

And I would advise you, if you are not an optimist, hang out with some optimistic people. Maybe they'll rub off on you.

Maybe the world's a little more beautiful than you thought.