Optimism

Without optimism, I believe I would not have survived the winter of 'no.'  The song Pompeii played on repeat through the cold months this year, and this question rang in my ears: "How am I gonna be an optimist about this?" Truly, in times of darkness, this question is futile. Blind, passionate optimism is the only real choice when you're under water. But when you rise to the surface, and finally find a bit of oxygen, radical optimism can be a bit more challenging  - now, the question changes: "What am I going to be an optimist about?" I'll recommend this as the refrain to the good folks of Bastille for the follow up album to Bad Blood.

Anything is possible. If we don't believe this fact, we're not really optimistic. Within the realm of anything, however, the options can be overwhelming. Surely, one can go by the four pillars of happiness: Health, Wealth, Love, and Perfect self-expression (Source: The Game of Life & How to Play It - highly recommend). But to direct one's focus into specificity is a monumental challenge unto itself, and essential to success in any venture.  For instance, let's take the first one - arguably the simplest: Health.  What does that mean? Free of disease? That seems like a low bar to set. Free of pain? Ok, sure. Physically fit? To what end? Is it about a certain weight? Running a certain distance? Completing a cardio-kickboxing class without screaming expletives at the instructor whilst kicking in the air for 90 seconds straight? Again, anything is possible, so what to choose...

More and more, I'm feeling like the answer to this question is rhetorical as well. What we choose is not nearly as important as the fact that we choose. Pick something. Anything. As Lady MacBeth says: "Screw your courage to the sticking place and we'll not fail." Granted, she was talking about murdering a king with her husband-in-crime, but her point is valid and she is optimistic, specific, and ultimately successful. In other words, she's a great role model.

I never intended for the Summer of Yes to be about setting goals and screwing my courage to the sticking place.  I meant mostly for it to be about soaking up life in a way I could not earlier this year; but along my travels, I find myself asking why.   Why venture into other neighborhoods?  Why try all new things? Why meet new people? What am I looking for? What am I hoping to accomplish?   Mostly, I think I'm looking for inspiration.  I'm filtering through as much information as possible, hoping something will strike me and I'll hear the call of life in a positive way.  Last year I heard Life shouting to me at a deafening volume - changes needed to be made. It was terrifying, but ultimately this call lead to a more peaceful, happy place - maybe it's the optimist in me, but I don't believe life ever calls with such clarity to lead you to an unhappy place.

I saw a friend earlier this year who gave me this advice: Jump, and build your wings on the way down. This is a test of true optimism. In order to leap off into oblivion, take big risks, and trust you'll succeed, one needs a sort of un-wavering faith in life that those wings appear. Knowing this means you'll fly before you die.  The more bold moves I find myself making, the more I realize doubt is the only thing that can prevent those wings from showing up. So onward and upward with optimism. Time to fly.

Also, I would like a dragon. And this movie was awesome. Yes to cartoons. Always.