positive pessimism: half full and half empty

June 13, 2008

it helps when people see the glass of water half full rather than half empty. it’s all about having a positive outlook and it brings forth a comforting feeling that everything, no matter how bad, will eventually turn out ok. although honestly, i sometimes find myself looking at the glass seeing it half empty, but not the forboding type eagerly awaiting discourse. i think it’s simply being realistic and acknowledging the fact that anything could go wrong anytime anywhere (check out my post: Murphy sez). guess if there’s such a thing as positive pessimism this could be it.  perhaps nothing more could be quite upsetting than the biting feeling of disappointment. it is the by-product of one’s expectations not being met, of failure. although one could easily duck this frustrating feeling if expectations were kept low and if failures were somehow anticipated. i sometimes catch myself doing just that and you may find it weird but it doesn’t bother me. i suppose a lot of us are as guilty of this as i am. its interesting  when things are going almost perfectly. lets me wonder when and how it would strike, the spoiler, the catch. i cant help thinking of what could go wrong especially when everything is going smoothly. the good thing about it is that it doesnt surprise me if things indeed don’t go as expected.  well to wait for bad things to happen is really silly, but to think of possible solutions to eerie scenarios that could happen is another thing, and a good one. sometimes seeing the glass of water half empty not only saves you the panic, the shock or the disappointment when things suddenly take an awkward turn but it also leaves you prepared and ready to gather or, at the worst twist of events, redeem yourself. a positive disposition in life is pleasing, no doubt, but i guess a healthy dose of positive pessimism won’t hurt, might just save you the bummer line “oops! never saw it coming”.