MINDFUL OPTIMISM

Optimism is a powerful drug. And fun to be around.

It’s what sets man apart from animals: A dog never wakes up thinking it’s going to get better.

And optimism co-exists with a bunch of other isms – like skepticism, people believing things are good, but asking for occasional proof.

But not so great with cynicism – optimism’s polar opposite – people believing there’s no hope, no matter what an optimist may lay on them.

Me, I’m a triple threat: Living optimistically, consistently skeptical, cynical when warranted.

That trifecta thing aptly applied to sports fans, who deep down know their team is doomed.

But this is the year…

Optimism is top of mind, because friends with recent health issues have handled them ‘successfully’, in part through believing they would.

How often have you heard a friend has cancer, and thought “They’ll be OK – great attitude”.

But today’s world is challenging for an optimist, whose first instinct is to think the best of people.

For me, further complicated by being raised a Midwesterner, whose first three instincts are thinking the best of people.

But the world at large is making that tough.

I was raised in a time when we believed – and trusted – the media, elected officials and our heroes.

In hindsight, it may have been less about ‘misinformation’, and more about ‘not much information’.

There were just 3 networks, and Walter Cronkite was completely trusted – – we even believed when he told us about the ‘domino theory’, and if the Communists took Vietnam, Minnesota was next.

Walter was so trusted his friends played dominos with him – over the phone.  

Contrast that with your choice of Fox News or CNN, which are like your Mother – always agreeing with you, “I know, I know. The other guys are evil”.

And we Liked Ike! Even trusted Mamie and her continuing Readers Digest series: “How to cook for your Ike!”, never guessing she was the first transgender first lady/man.

Later, JFK was the bomb, Catholic’s cars all with JFK dashboard statues.

And fortunately, we knew very little about our heroes.

We all loved (insert star here), believing he was out all hours with his ‘physical therapist’, recovering from his recent injury. Or was it his niece… 

We would have been thrilled to learn our sister had been named a White House intern.

I had the complete set of the ‘Richard Nixon Presidency’ trading cards and Spiro Agnew bobble head – now worthless!

Disappointed with the media, I may have overcorrected to track current events, trusting National Lampoon, The Onion, and that drooling bag lady on the bus.

And what’s up with people today? No seriously, what’s up with people today?

Yes, times are definitely tough for optimists.

How do parents help their children navigate today’s world?

My counsel: Live with ‘Mindful Optimism’:

Savoring life with all your senses, acutely aware of how lucky you are – expressing gratitude and slowing down.

Maybe even putting down your phone and having a conversation, which may be aspirational…

Much like ‘Mindful Eating’: when we slowly savor our food – but as my Mother would remind, with your mouth closed.

Mindful optimism beginning with reminding ourselves how lucky we are – the first step in being lucky,  recognition we are.

Reminding ourselves each day is a gift from God, and we honor Him – and ourselves – by making the most of it.

And from there, being properly skeptical, understanding that people aren’t always what they seem,  don’t always say what they mean, but that’s them, and doesn’t have to be me.

Resolving daily: The world may be screwed up, but not because of me…

For 188 more posts like this –each with a wish for a sunny day– go to beersatthenifty.com. Your phone will display every post, and you can waste an hour or two. Or send me an email to the site, and I’ll add you to my Sunday distribution.

TO ENHANCE YOUR ENJOYMENT OF THIS POST, PAIR IT WITH THE FOLLOWING SONGS:

A hallmark of optimism is finding good after bad, love after loss – the subject of today’s song.

Diana Krall is an amazing pianist and vocalist, with over 15 million records sold. A fun live show. And she’s Elvis Costello’s wife, so there’s that.

Departure Bay   Diana Krall And Girl In the other Room is a nice Sunday listen

The fading scent of summertime
Arbutus trees and firs
The glistening of rain-soaked moss
Going to the dairy queen at dusk
Down narrow roads
In autumn light

The salt air and the sawmills
And the bars are full of songs and tears
To the passing of the tugboats
And people with their big ideas

I just get home and then I leave again
It’s long ago and far away
Now we’re skimming stones and
Exchanging rings
And scattering and sailing from departure bay

The house was bare of Christmas lights
It came down hard that year
Outside in our overcoats
Drinking down to the bitter end
Trying to make things right
Like my mother did

Last year we were laughing
We sang in church so beautifully
Now her perfume’s on the bathroom counter
And I’m sitting in the back pew crying

I just get home and then I leave again
It’s long ago and far away
Now we’re skimming stones and
Exchanging rings
And scattering and sailing from departure bay

A song plays on the gramophone
And thoughts turn back to life
We took the long way to get back
Like driving over the malahat
Now a seaplane drones and time has flown

I won’t miss all the glamour
While my heart is beating and the lilacs bloom
But who knew when I started
That Id find a love and bring him home

Just get me there and one we will stay
A long time off and far away
Now we’re skimming stones and
Exchanging rings
We’re scattering and diving in departure bay