Are You an Optimist?
Four Atlantans talk about the origins, goals and results of their decisions to be upbeat.
Four Atlantans talk about the origins, goals and results of their decisions to be upbeat.
Shirley Brickman, partner in Team Brickman.
I am an optimist. From the time I was a little girl, my precious Momma, of blessed memory, often said, “People will like you more if you always greet them with a smile. No one likes a kvetch (complainer).” That was a good lesson, and you know what? Momma was right.
My husband, Perry, and my children are optimists or very good actors. “Everything Is Gonna Be Alright” is our theme song. We feel darn lucky to have each other and are happy for each day. In life, there are gonna be bumps in the road. We don’t live in La-La Land. With help from Upstairs and a positive attitude, we have to do the best we can. Ain’t easy. My adorable Daddy, of blessed memory, had a cute sense of humor. Many times, he reminded me, when someone asks “you how’re you doing?” just smile and say, “Vunderfu!” (My European parents usually pronounced the letter “w” as a “v”).
Now, when I meet someone and am asked how I’m doing, I have a choice. I can either give them copies of my Xrays and MRI reports or I can smile and say, “Vunderful. Good to see you.” If I have unlimited time, I can ask, “And, how’re y’all doing?”
Jonathan Levin, retired software developer and business analyst.
I have faced many disappointments, trials and scares, including orders for infantry in Vietnam (changed at the last minute), downsizing after 20 years of work at 57 (hired for 12 years elsewhere), and requiring a kidney transplant (bless my local donor). In every case, I and my optimism were restored. If I believed that the world depended only upon humankind, I would be pessimistic. Five years with a new kidney, though, teaches me that every day is a blessing from Hashem and an opportunity to improve myself and the world.
Michele Hirsch, parent and volunteer.
I don’t think something good has to come out of every challenge, and we can’t control the outcomes any more than the obstacles. But we can control how we react to challenges, and sometimes optimism is the only option. Why choose to focus on the bad? As Jews, I can’t think of a group of people who understand the idea of finding light in the darkness more than we do; we don’t focus all our energy on the negatives. We find a way to stay positive, and the positivity we put into the world always comes back to us.
Rabbi Jeffrey Francés, Jewish educator
We need to acknowledge that the “good” may not be what we expect or desire. We often become frustrated when trying to impose our definition of “good” on a world where human control is limited. We can consider probabilities and trends, analyze statistics and even try to control others, but ultimately, we can only control our own choices.
To live with Rabbi Akiva’s optimism we must strive to make the best-informed, thoughtful and intentional choices we can, fully aware that we can’t always control the outcome. It’s critical to be mindful of that throughout daily life. And sometimes when things are hard, we conclude that “it’s not good.” But assuming that what R’Akiva said is true, our conclusion is likely not reality, and we must adjust our expectations and continue to seek the good. If that’s optimism, then I suppose I’m an optimist.
comments