Pancho Pistolas's Journal: Reality is, therefore...I think?

Sometimes I think myself a fool for wanting to see the good in the world that seems full of dissappointment. Sometimes I think myself a fool for not remembering that a bright outlook enables me to prepare for the good in the world when I see it. Sometimes I wish I could choose one and rip the knob off.

Which would you rather be-- a hopelessly deluded (but very happy) optimist, or a reality-centered (and very aware) pessimist who was prone to bouts of depression?

grass is always greener

[lithron]

As a reality centered pessimist who is prone to bouts of depression, I'd rather be a hopelessly deluded and very happy optimist.

Re:

[account_deleted]

Comment removed based on user account deletion

Well...

[Randle_Revar]

I was a reality-centered (and very aware) pessimist who was prone to bouts of depression (actually I was depressed most of the time), but now I am a reality-base semi-optimist. I see lots of problems, some of which are getting worse, but I see lots of good things as well, and history tells me that in the long run the good stuff will win out. In my personal life I am now very happy, with only occasional sort-lived bouts of not being happy (I wouldn't say they are strong enough to be called depression). I lik

Decoupling those choices...

[johndiii]

My happiness (or lack thereof) is not a consequence of external circumstances or the view of them that I take. Rather, it is a state of my being - a choice that I make. That is not to say that I do not have an emotional reaction to circumstances. Such is part of the human condition, and to be revelled in - whether positive or negative. But my overall happiness is a consequence of who I am, not what I see in the world or how I see it.

Even Ricky Williams gets it [cnn.com]. :-) The article is fairly interesting, if