This is a good reminder Bill that in spite of how bad things appear in that moment the one thing we actually can control is our reaction to it. Misery is optional. Seems simplistic maybe but it has worked for almost 80 years and all the different challenges that can happen in such a span of years.
what comes to my mind about being optimistic is something I recently read from a Methodist email I receive daily. Perhaps being more optimistic can be the opposite of being too judgemental.
c/p, w/ some editing:
Honesty, quick and direct, sounds good, right? It’s the “let’s just say the thing everyone is thinking” type of honesty. You know, address problems head on, protect people. Honesty IS kindness.
Altho, honestly, sometimes what feels like honesty can slowly drift into judgment.
The biggest reason the log in our own eye is so dangerous is because we can’t see it ourselves. Most of us are not walking around thinking, “Wow, I’m being self-righteous today.” Usually, we think we’re being wise. Helpful. Honest. We see someone change lanes without using their turn signal, stand up the moment the plane lands, or leave their shopping cart in the middle of the parking lot and we appoint ourselves judge and jury. Sometimes those judgments move beyond harmless annoyances into things that actually matter. We see someone making painful or destructive choices and think, “Someone needs to say the thing that needs to be said.”
Some instincts in many situations might be better. Such as listening first. Ask questions. Lead with compassion. Gently correct instead of reacting.
Again, those instincts are different than going in angry or hurt or frustrated by someone’s choices; wanting to go in strong, wanting to fix the problem quickly, and sure you have the answers. Want justice. Want accountability.
Slow down long enough to remember that people are not projects to fix; they are people to love. They will never hear us if we don’t say it with love. Think about times when you’ve tried the “justice” way & it ended in explosions instead of the change you were hoping to see.
Sometimes truth absolutely does need to be spoken. Jesus was never afraid of truth. However, truth without grace can wound people instead of healing them. Now, when in tense situations, especially ones where emotions are high, and if you feel completely certain you know the right answer --- pause. What’s a softer, slower, and, more gentle and gracious approach?
Most likely, the people who have changed you most in your life were not the ones who shamed you into becoming better. They were the ones who made you feel seen instead of condemned. Jesus was a master of this. Removing the log from our own eye begins with humility and with slowing down. We must remember that we may not see as clearly as we think we do.
Who is paying for the FIFA concerts? We had Canadian costs released this week, it's costing Canadian taxpayers more than a BILLION DOLLARS for just 13 games, which to me is an absolute waste of money, especially with today's economy. Someone is getting rich here, and it's not the average sports fan. Then again, I am not a big fan of soccer/football.
I have always been optimistic, just my nature to see the positive in things and I find it difficult to be pessimistic. I believe there is always a positive in things even if you can't see it at the moment. There are so much simple beauty in life that is free if you choose to appreciate. I don't write down three gratitudes every day, but I often stop to appreciate beauty. People respond so much better to a smile than a scowl.
I wonder how Trump plans to finish his Dome in the three years he has left.
Bill, et al., April 8 is a very optimistic day. April 8 of 2026, God blessed my wife and me with 32 years of marriage. Marrying her was the second best decision I’ve ever made, and it changed so much in my life for the better. Hopefully she feels the same, but she’s always been the more optimistic of the two of us. So thanks for this unexpected but optimistic story, which has brought a big smile to my face.
This one resonated with me, thanks. I had a question tho. I thought of the things I’m grateful for, like my vision, my balance, and my ability to walk. Then I realized that there’s a different type of gratitude that I missed. Those things are internal to me. I’m also grateful for the existence of my long suffering spouse, and my friends who are close or far away. So, internal versus external gratitude. Both contain gifts given to us so they should be similar, but somehow being grateful for the things outside of myself seems more important. Any guidance here?
I just read this from a daily newsletter, Nice News, suggesting Hope might be tied in w/ being grateful and optimistic. From the article, emotions associated with Hope: Gratitide = 94%, Confidence & Motivation, each = 93%, Optimism = 91%, Resilience = 88%.
Hey Bill, What happened to "7 optimistic moments from history this week" vs. "Other things worth knowing …" which frankly tend to be not so optimistic?
This is a good reminder Bill that in spite of how bad things appear in that moment the one thing we actually can control is our reaction to it. Misery is optional. Seems simplistic maybe but it has worked for almost 80 years and all the different challenges that can happen in such a span of years.
"An optimist is someone who gets treed by a lion but enjoys the scenery."
-Walter Winchell
what comes to my mind about being optimistic is something I recently read from a Methodist email I receive daily. Perhaps being more optimistic can be the opposite of being too judgemental.
c/p, w/ some editing:
Honesty, quick and direct, sounds good, right? It’s the “let’s just say the thing everyone is thinking” type of honesty. You know, address problems head on, protect people. Honesty IS kindness.
Altho, honestly, sometimes what feels like honesty can slowly drift into judgment.
The biggest reason the log in our own eye is so dangerous is because we can’t see it ourselves. Most of us are not walking around thinking, “Wow, I’m being self-righteous today.” Usually, we think we’re being wise. Helpful. Honest. We see someone change lanes without using their turn signal, stand up the moment the plane lands, or leave their shopping cart in the middle of the parking lot and we appoint ourselves judge and jury. Sometimes those judgments move beyond harmless annoyances into things that actually matter. We see someone making painful or destructive choices and think, “Someone needs to say the thing that needs to be said.”
Some instincts in many situations might be better. Such as listening first. Ask questions. Lead with compassion. Gently correct instead of reacting.
Again, those instincts are different than going in angry or hurt or frustrated by someone’s choices; wanting to go in strong, wanting to fix the problem quickly, and sure you have the answers. Want justice. Want accountability.
Slow down long enough to remember that people are not projects to fix; they are people to love. They will never hear us if we don’t say it with love. Think about times when you’ve tried the “justice” way & it ended in explosions instead of the change you were hoping to see.
Sometimes truth absolutely does need to be spoken. Jesus was never afraid of truth. However, truth without grace can wound people instead of healing them. Now, when in tense situations, especially ones where emotions are high, and if you feel completely certain you know the right answer --- pause. What’s a softer, slower, and, more gentle and gracious approach?
Most likely, the people who have changed you most in your life were not the ones who shamed you into becoming better. They were the ones who made you feel seen instead of condemned. Jesus was a master of this. Removing the log from our own eye begins with humility and with slowing down. We must remember that we may not see as clearly as we think we do.
“The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails.”
~ William Arthur Ward
"Once you replace negative thoughts with positive ones, you'll start having positive results."
-Willie Nelson
Who is paying for the FIFA concerts? We had Canadian costs released this week, it's costing Canadian taxpayers more than a BILLION DOLLARS for just 13 games, which to me is an absolute waste of money, especially with today's economy. Someone is getting rich here, and it's not the average sports fan. Then again, I am not a big fan of soccer/football.
I have always been optimistic, just my nature to see the positive in things and I find it difficult to be pessimistic. I believe there is always a positive in things even if you can't see it at the moment. There are so much simple beauty in life that is free if you choose to appreciate. I don't write down three gratitudes every day, but I often stop to appreciate beauty. People respond so much better to a smile than a scowl.
I wonder how Trump plans to finish his Dome in the three years he has left.
Bill, et al., April 8 is a very optimistic day. April 8 of 2026, God blessed my wife and me with 32 years of marriage. Marrying her was the second best decision I’ve ever made, and it changed so much in my life for the better. Hopefully she feels the same, but she’s always been the more optimistic of the two of us. So thanks for this unexpected but optimistic story, which has brought a big smile to my face.
This one resonated with me, thanks. I had a question tho. I thought of the things I’m grateful for, like my vision, my balance, and my ability to walk. Then I realized that there’s a different type of gratitude that I missed. Those things are internal to me. I’m also grateful for the existence of my long suffering spouse, and my friends who are close or far away. So, internal versus external gratitude. Both contain gifts given to us so they should be similar, but somehow being grateful for the things outside of myself seems more important. Any guidance here?
I just read this from a daily newsletter, Nice News, suggesting Hope might be tied in w/ being grateful and optimistic. From the article, emotions associated with Hope: Gratitide = 94%, Confidence & Motivation, each = 93%, Optimism = 91%, Resilience = 88%.
https://www.stjude.org/content/dam/en_US/shared/www/media/st-jude-hope-imperative-2026-by-harris-poll-508.pdf?ck_subscriber_id=2496808141&utm_source=convertkit&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Hope%20is%20rooted%20in%20small%20acts%20-%2021856553
P.S. Roughly 9 out of 10 said they express hope by helping others.
Hey Bill, What happened to "7 optimistic moments from history this week" vs. "Other things worth knowing …" which frankly tend to be not so optimistic?
Whenever I see articles about optimism, I am reminded of the Stockdale Paradox.
It remains far better to be hopeful than to be optimistic....subtle but powerful difference.