A Clear View from the Optimism Buss

Dec. 10, 2010 - PRLog -- I am quite tired of reading and hearing about all the different qualifications people seem to want to put on their optimism.  The phrases “realistic optimist,” “cautious optimist,” “rational optimism,” “unwarranted optimism,” or “guarded optimism,” are all disguises for some level of pessimism.

The only qualification needed in front of the word “optimism” is “moment-to-moment.”  In the rest of this essay, I make the case for this one and only qualification.

On Hope, Reality and Optimism

Hope is the vessel that carries our dreams. Reality presents the daily circumstances of life with which we must deal.  Optimism provides the view that gives us the courage, motivation and persistence to deal with those circumstances.

Without optimism, reality becomes the bulldozer that crushes the vessel of dreams and overwhelms us with a sense of hopelessness and helplessness.

Pessimism only increases the speed of the bulldozer, keeps us standing right in front of it awaiting a direct hit while increasing the damage toll to our dreams and acts.

We do not control reality.  We only have control over our view of the circumstances that reality presents and the steps we can try to take to deal with those circumstances.  The view we take is critical to determining whether we take any steps at all and what steps we choose take.

The view gives us the window of opportunity and a vision of the mission and goal. It can be expansive and broad; full of possibilities.  It must also concentrate on the very next step so we do not stumble or trip over what is right in front of us and so that we keep moving forward step by step.

The Buss Tour Driving Metaphor of Moment-to-Moment Optimism

Imagine trying to drive with a windshield covered with dirt or ice and snow.  Foolish, you bet.  You won’t even see the bumps in the road, traffic stops, or pedestrians crossing.  “Crash and burn” is guaranteed.

First the windshield must provide a clear view of reality.  Any distortions make reality that much more difficult and treacherous.  So, keeping a clean windshield is essential.

Optimists keep a clean windshield and a keen and accurate eye on reality.  The optimist does not see a flat and straight road when it is hilly and curvy.  Having seen the reality of the road ahead, the optimist downshifts in order to accelerate through the curve while double clutching.  The optimist maintains the windshield with frequent cleaning and a coat of Aquapel.

The driver of the buss of pessimism sees dirt specs on the windshield of the bus and slows down unnecessarily.  This driver brakes through the curve which actually increases the chances of some kind of accident.

The pessimist, always looking down, and only seeing the next obstacle quickly tires of the trip, wants out and off the buss.

The optimist with a clear vision of the mission and goal sees the obstacle and then finds a way around it, finding increased energy and skill to manage the next obstacle.

The optimist frequently checks the GPS, smart-phone maps and weather forecasts, and radio transmissions in order to be prepared for any and all circumstances.

The view out the Buss windshield changes from MOMENT-TO-MOMENT as new obstacles arise, the route taken is changed and the planned route revised.  Scheduled and unscheduled stops are part of the adventure; always a good time to clean the windshield.

As the Buss travels down the road of life, the destination may change; a mission or goal discarded and replaced.  The Buss needs this kind of maintenance as the tires wear out and the air filter gets dirty.

The Optimism Buss is an environmentally friendly vehicle that draws its energy from the heat of the sun.  The suns rays are converted into the ENERGY of OPTIMISM. The only maintenance requirements are a clear front and rear windshield and clean side windows for each passenger to enjoy the change in VIEW as the world goes by MOMENT-TO-MOMENT.

The True Value of Riding on the Optimism Buss

When there is such a clear VIEW in each and every moment there is no need for being cautious, guarded, or rational.  The optimist is therefore able to keep an eye on the mission, goal and next step and is fully prepared to change in a moments notice as circumstance come up. Such changes require either rational problem solving or creative out-of-the-box thinking.

With such a clear VIEW, those who choose to ride the Optimism Buss are prepared to make any and all needed adjustments in course and destination in any given moment.  The ride may not always be smooth, but progress is never ending.

For more 'Moment-to-Moment Optimism' click on the link: http://www.drrussbuss.com

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About Moment-to-Moment: Our mission is to teach "skilled optimism"- how let go of a negative in a moment and view life as one continuous learning curve with multiple "do-over" opportunities. Products include a daily blog, seminars, publications, speaking, radio show, & coaching.