When asked the question “Are you an Optimist or Pessimist,” I’ve often heard people give the cop out answer of “Realist.” In the past, I have answered “realist” to that question myself. It’s not so much an answer as it is an attempt at a clever retort. Rather than admit to being cheery or dreary, you acknowledge only that you believe that your worldview represents “reality.” Not embracing positivity, nor negativity, this statement clings to neutrality and the assertion that one’s own worldview is the one true analysis of life.
Sorry guys. Realists are pessimists in zebra stripes; sporting black and white hockey referee garb only thinly veils the cynical, pessimistic nature of the so-called realist. Neutral arbitrators they are not, but they are most certainly playing the role of non-interfering spectator in the game of their own lives.
For the record, I see an optimist as someone who solicits happiness by making positivity a part of their way of life. A pessimist is their own worst enemy; a naysayer, doomsayer and magnet of stress and negativity. What, therefore, is a realist?
Reality is subject to interpretation. Is your glass half full, half empty, or the wrong size?
A so-called realist is a life analyst. They view life as a spectator sport. They tend to create self-fulfilling prophesies which are then reinforced with outcomes that they themselves create. Being a realist is not so much an outlook as it is a word designating a creator of subjective reality.
Like a hockey ref, as hard as they try, they just can’t help but get in the way. Usually, their own way.
In short, realists are usually pessimists. The only exceptions to this rule are the people who create positive self-fulfilling prophesies. Yes, this can in fact be done. In personal development circles this is often referred to as the law of attraction or LOA. You can manifest positivity in your life by telling yourself that you can rather than that you can’t.
Rather than subscribe to Murphy’s Law (which states that what can go wrong will go wrong) or Occam’s Razor (which recommends that the simplest answer is often the correct one), give Deepak Chopra’s theory a chance. In his book, The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success, he offers seven guidelines that help to create a positive change in your life to increase success in your life.
Although reading through Seven Spiritual Laws is difficult at times due to complex manner in which Chopra describes these laws, which can be a little clunky, it’s worth a read. A slow read, perhaps a chapter a day with time in between to mull over the ideas expressed.
In the end, there is no such thing as a “realist”.
The optometrist asks the realist, “Better or Worse?”
Regardless, the answer is subjective depending on your own outlook. Better or worse than what? Blindness? Is the glass half empty of half full? Half empty or half full of what? A half empty glass of water is still better than a half full glass of poison. Your situation can always be better, but it’s also pretty good right now if you think about all the reasons why.
You are capable of success if you try. If you disagree, then you won’t try, and you’ll create a situation in which you make yourself right. I’d rather be successful than right. There’s no reason to sabotage your own success by not trying.
Try. Believe. Success follows.
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