Optimist, Pessimist, or Realist?

People usually say that I’m an optimist—that I see the bright side of everything, the silver lining to every cloud. That’s not true and my family will testify under oath. For some, people call them a pessimist—that they always see the problem, the cloud in front of every silver lining. I am not that either.

I’d like to think that I am a realist. I do believe in upsides, in opportunities, in a benevolent God ruling the universe. I also believe there are real problems and real sufferings in the world—just look around us. It’s not going to just blow away tomorrow when the sun comes up (sorry, Annie) and it’s not the end of the world ( sorry, doomsday preppers). It’s tough. It’s hard. It’s scary. But, I can choose to look for the good (e.g. people pulling together) in the midst of the bad. I can look for opportunities, for open doors. How about you? What will you choose to be?