I watched Michael J. Fox's documentary of "The Adventures of an Incurable Optimist" it was a journey he took, trying to find out different things about us optimists.
If being an Optimist is genetic? If your into the arts are you more Optimistic, since your working to be in a field were they say it will not pay? How does an optimistic person get by on day to day? And do we function as Optimists as a group?
I enjoyed the paper guy, a guy who stands at the top of the subway, handing out the free papers. His other job. He said "each day is a new opportunity"
I agree. A new day to be a new me. A skinnier, happier, more organized, less lazy, more the old happy go lucky me, then the bitter, and short tempered newer me.
I think optimism is genetic, I do believe that my parents were real with me. But we always looked to the brighter side. It's much prettier then the other side.
Now don't get me wrong. I am realistic at times. I have to be. We all do. But I see each challenge in my life as a tool to learn, and to grow from. It could always be worse, a line my mother often says. And it's true. Sure I have RLS (restless leg syndrome) and my back and legs are crazy right now. But it could be SO much worse, my problem is temporary, and will go away if I sleep it off.
I have been asked many times by people how I am so optimistic when my sister, Frances, has a muscle disorder, Dystonia, that cut out any conversation with her since she was about 13 (she is now 28. Or that she had to have brain surgery for 12 hours. How? Well she is mentally just as smartassed, witty, and normal as you and me. But she just can't express it verbally.
And that is what I cherish, is that I still have my sister, and that even though we can't chat, scream, or even whisper to each other. We are still around each other. So I look at it that way.
My brain wouldn't let me google Cystic Fibrosis until after I knew it was needed to be done. Sure I might Google it, just for curiosity, but I needed to not go there. Not this week. I couldn't get myself sick over it, until I needed to. Call it denial. I call it my natural instinct to survive. You do it your way. I will do it my way.
I also enjoyed Michael J. Fox visiting Wrigley Field. And pointing out that we Cubs fans, are a breed that are optimistic because we stick together as a group. And eventually it will happen... right?
Now I don't see anything wrong with a Pessimistic person. They dive into the problem, and then some. They hit there problem head on, and deal with it from there. It helps them cope.
Realist, well they are two different kinds. The Realist that do see the problem, and tries to find the best solution, and is hopeful of a good outcome. A realist optimist.
Then there are the Realist that sees the problem, and then some, and just to me is a bit more negative then need be.
I just don't do negativity. It won't help, it, to me it will actually hinder any progress. I want to think that now that we have hope with Obama, and the stem cell research bill he signed, we can move forward, much faster, find a cure for Parkinson's and maybe more help for Dystonia. Maybe even a cure too.
Thanks to Michael J. Fox for reminding us that you should "Do the next right thing" instead of "Doing the next thing right" yeah, I had to rethink that one a few times. But it's great once you get it.
Glass is half full, and tomorrow is a new day. Here's to it.
But I must admit, I will try my best to miss every episode of Brody Jenners "Bromance" in search of his new best friend. Yikes. That is just to much. Sadly I will probably watch it. MTV puts something in the damn airwaves to make me watch everything they have!
