On Optimism

Optimism gets a bit of a bad rap at times. There are unfavorable stigmas attached to those who prefer to look at the brighter side of life. At best, they are called idealists, and at worst they are labeled naïve. Quite honestly, this bothers me. I would be the last person to force my views on others, but I encourage a more favorable look at these optimists.

Optimism is not the enemy of realism. It is not the belief that everything WILL turn out well in the end. It is the hope that it COULD turn out well in the end. I’ll be honest. I am the type who does not like to accept defeat and who does not like to quit. I will hold on to the slightest glimmer of hope that things will go my way in the end. That said, when it comes to long-shots, I do not expect success in the end. I merely refuse to give up until all hope is lost.

Case-in-point: For the past four and a half years I have been interested in someone who, without going into a great measure of detail, is unavailable. It has not been easy, but there have been glimmers of hope. Because of that, I have not given up. Many people close to me think I’m crazy for it or think I’m being unrealistic. It’s not that, though. I don’t wake up every morning expecting for things to change. I fully realize (to borrow from Tom Petty) I’m runnin’ down a dream that may never come to fruition. That is okay. I would rather give everything I can and lose than give up when something looks improbable. I believe nothing’s over until it’s over.

I find life to be more enjoyable when looking on the brighter side. It’s no fun to feel perpetually defeated. Hope makes life significantly more palatable. Sure, things might not be better tomorrow. In fact, they might be worse. But there is hope that things will turn around tomorrow, and it is that hope that keeps me going. The idea that better is possible is enough to keep me going.

There is a belief that optimistic people are naïve and therefore get hurt more often and more easily. That is partly true. One of the most common side effects of hope is disappointment. We hold out for something, but more often than not, it doesn’t happen. That’s the reality of life. Our hearts are a bit more fragile. But I am fine with that. It is not naïveté. I know that hope leaves me more susceptible to disappointment, but it’s a tradeoff I am willing to make. One hoped-for success is more powerful to me than a thousand disappointments. I would rather hope and hurt than never hope and feel defeated all the time.

I like to look at life positively. That doesn’t make me Lloyd Christmas. I do try to find the best in things. I don’t that things will be great, but every day I wake up with the notion that they can be. I believe in staying strong and never giving up. Care to join me?

Mastering My Craft

Earlier this year in accordance with my 26th birthday, I compiled a list of 26 things that I wanted to accomplish as a 26 year old. A little over three months in and I have made serious headway on my list. I’ve knocked out over half the items. There is one item in particular that I am proud of, and I thought I’d share it with you.

When I finished college in December 2008 and received my diploma in January 2009, I did so with the idea that I wasn’t truly “done” with school. It was always my goal to go on to graduate school. When I was younger, I thought that would be law school, but as I grew disenchanted with politics, I decided that I would eventually get a Master’s degree in education.

Future plans took a backseat because things never really took off after college. I happened to graduate at a time when the teaching job market fell apart, and I wanted to wait until I had steady employment before I made the financial commitment to graduate school. From 2009 to 2012, my primary focus was finding a job.

Now that I have my feet on the ground in a school, it’s time for me to get the ball rolling on enhancing my future. Starting Monday I will be enrolled in a Master’s program in curriculum and instruction. I worked hard to get where I am, but now is certainly not the time to rest on my laurels. As a teacher, I need to do everything I can to continue to grow as an educator. A graduate degree not only will make me more attractive in my future endeavors, but it will also provide me the tools to hone my skills. It is an investment in my present and my future.

I must admit it will be different returning to the other side of the classroom. I have lacked confidence in many areas of my life, but I have always been confident in my ability to get it done in the classroom both as a teacher and as a student. That said, I would be lying to you if I said I wasn’t a bit apprehensive. I’m a bit worried about rust and if I can reach the lofty standards I set for myself. I don’t know if I will be able to reach such heights, but I can guarantee that I will do my best. I am looking forward to starting this eighteen month journey, but I am even more excited to finish!