Why shouldn't one be a cynic? It seems like the payout is better for the pessimist: if you're right, and the bad thing happens, at least you're right; and if you're wrong, and the good thing happens, you're happily surprised. I think, though, it rests on something deeper — why I choose optimism instead. I think it rests on the question of hope. The cynic is ultimately without hope, and that lack expects nothing but the worst. I don't think I could wander this world without hope — hope in something, hope in anything. Perhaps, however, some or most or even all cynics are closet optimists. Even when their heads tell them to expect the worst, their heart secretly hopes for the best.
Perhaps, too, the sunniest optimists are closet cynics. There is just so much of wrong and failure one can experience and not be affected. But there is still something to be said about having hope, and putting your money on winning rather than losing. Maybe that small part of this optimist — the doubt — is telling me that things will turn out for the worst, but I will put all that I can — all the best of me, my faith — that dawn shall come. It is not an intellectual argument, just something to be felt. I will bet on hope, and I will bet the whole house. And even if some part of me tells me I will fail (maybe to the end of my days), I think I win even if I lose — I have done my best to care, and I can do no better.
Raymond
12:49am saturday, 12th january
Bad things happen to good people;good things happen to bad people.It is your outlook that determines how you see things good or bad.Hope creates a sence that everything will be all right;it has to be all right.Have you ever noticed something that you thought was a total disaster turn out to be in your favor.Like a flat tire that caused you to be late somewhere;but there was a traffic accident that you could have been invovled in if you had not been held up by the flat tire.Some of my worst moments have turned out to be blessings at a later time.I would rant and rave at the time of the event;and I would feel like an idiot when it turned out in my favor.I need to learn to have hope in all things;it makes everything seem like it is going to be alright.
Raymond