There’s a thin line between stupidity and optimism. 

Take people who are always late, for example. (I’ve been there.) It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to plan for and take whatever steps necessary to be, where you need to be, when you need to be there. Clocks are easy enough to find. Smart phones have clocks. People wear watches. The guy on the radio periodically announces the time. I know more than a few people who arrive well in advance, to make double sure they’re never late. Some even worry about it. So while at first, most would see that as conscientious, might we not call that person a pessimist? Wouldn’t it be a pessimist who’s always preparing for something to go wrong? Never just “winging it”?  

on the flipside, maybe Mr. glass half full who tends to believe there will not be traffic, the car will not be low on gas and that most people will stay home making his journey simple, easy and on time is just an optimist.

How do we know where the line is? At what point do we separate the rejects on American Idol from the undiscovered artists who might be this generation’s Bob Dylan?  Music mentors are quick to say
“Never give up. You will face rejection but you must persevere” but we’ve all seen contestants who are clearly tone deaf. How do we know where that line is between optimism and perseverance vs pessimism and giving up?

Is it practical or pessimism for a parent to encourage a child to study hard to succeed in a field with high odds of success rather than chase the one in 1 million dream of movie stardom?

Is it optimism Or stupidity for a woman to give a guy another chance and recognize that no one’s perfect, including herself.

“The power of positive thinking” tells us to be our own advocate but more often than not we can’t see the forest for the trees. It would sure help to have some guidelines.

I think it all boils down to the fact that there are no rules and never will be. Every situation is different. We all want to follow a rule because that would mean we could be sure of the outcome. Like 1+1 = 2. But life isn’t like that. Relationships are like that.  There are no guarantees (contrary to what they told us in school.) 

Everything changes depending on where you live and when you live. Got to pay attention. No rules. One man’s trash is another man’s treasure. What is not popular in one era is all the rage in the next. what’s lame and one part of the world is hit in another. 

No choice but to pay attention to right here, right now, this moment. If people think you suck, leave. If they think you’re great, stay.