Ever The Optimist

Maybe I have said this before but so what, it bears repeating. Furthermore, I am soon a half-centenarian, so I am allowed. Lol.

"Be careful what you wish for as you might surely get it!"

That saying was a favourite of my ex, well one of, the one with who that I had the longest, live-in relationship.

Some are of the view that wellness is our natural state. When I look at my granddaughter, Mahalia, I would agree. Here is a child born prematurely, emerging from an environment that was no longer nurturing her. She weighed 4lbs 1 ounce and on the morning of her birth tension about her and her mother's conditions was running high.

Having been in a similar situation myself 27 years prior, and having since experienced many devastating moments in my life, I stood in the hallway affirming well being. My friends around the world and Mahalia's grandfather and his family stood in the gap with us all night.

We were not wishing. We were expecting the best outcome.

Mahalia's well being was restored and to now it only improves. It is a lesson that, for as long I am able,  I will continuously impart to her.

"Guard your heart with all your might as from it flows the issue of your life."

Who is an optimist? Is it someone who's thought is always positive, never doubting that "things always work out" and expects only the best outcome?

I like the late Nelson Mandela's description of himself as an optimist. It is one that I have co opted as my own since reading his book, "Long Walk to Freedom: Autobiography of Nelson Mandela:"

"I am fundamentally an optimist. Whether that comes from nature or nurture, I cannot say. Part of being optimistic is keeping one's head pointed toward the sun, one's feet moving forward. There were many dark moments when my faith in humanity was sorely tested, but I would not and could not give myself up to despair. That way lays defeat and death."

What is your understanding of being an optimist? Are you one? Share your thoughts with me here or via email.

Do have a bright, sun shiny day!

Guide To Optimistic Opportunism

Claudette Esterine

Are you happy with your life? Is your job somewhere along your desired career path? Does your relationship bring out the best in you? What kind of friends you tend to attract?

Sometimes I go off on a retreat to a park, by a body of water or just sitting on the floor in a quiet corner of Chapter's. I find myself needing this when life seems to be bringing me way more than manageable for me.

In these "by myself" moments, I ponder these questions:

• How do I really feel about what is happening, all bull crap aside?
• The negative emotions that I am having, what are they trying to tell me?
• Does anything need to change for me to feel good again? If yes, what?

By the end of this talk with myself, followed by intense listening, a plan is in place. There are times when the plan will come quickly, at least a first step. Other times, it takes a few hours, days or even months.

What is immediate, however, is being washed in a feeling of optimism.

Read and posted this 'letter' on our Facebook page today:

"Dear Optimist, Pessimist and Realist: 

While you guys were arguing about the glass of water being half full or half empty. I drank it.  

The Opportunist"

Being optimistic is equivalent to having a Pollyana mentality in some people's opinion. The Opportunist has gotten a worse reputation of being selfish. Too bad.

Looking back at my life and assessing my current standing, I grew into optimism coming out of a single parent home. There were many odds stacked against me and no one really to encourage me that all things work together for good. Literally, I motivated myself.

The only clue I got and yes it came from my mother who was far from being a positive thinking person, was that education was key. Relationships, including intimate and interpersonal ones, would fall apart later in my life due to my relentless pursuit of higher education and learning.

Every opportunity for learning, be it formal education or street learning, I grabbed it! To this day I still do and until the last breath leaves my body I will continue to.

Optimism and opportunism go hand in hand - that is what I learned in my 40+ years on this Earth. Think positively and for yourself and seize every opportunity that comes as a result.

Want to be happier? Think positive thoughts about your life right where you are at now. Right there on the cot in the back room of your friend's house. Know that you have all that you need right now in that bowl of macaroni and cheese!

Want a job that uses your gifts, talents and passion? Be thankful for the one you have now that will give you a good reference. Recognize the skills you gained doing all those seemingly deadbeat jobs.

Want a more life-enhancing relationship and genuine friends? Well, first express your gratitude to those who helped you to know what you truly desire. Write them letters. No need to mail them but the act of sharing a blessing with them will improve your sense of freedom to choose again.

Image: judydouglass.com

Drink from Life's glass instead of complaining about the colour of the container! The more you appreciate the contents of your cup, the more and greater will be added unto you.

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Continue to be the optimistic-opportunist today!

Claudette is the Founder of Daughters of Sheba Foundation and Editor of our blog. She is a Jamaican-Canadian, an Independent Distributor of Nature's Pearl and most of all, a Free Spirit.