Be Optimistic 2

The great scholar and thinker Sweet Marten has written: "Pessimism is a dangerous devil waiting for an opportunity to destroy us." A pessimist does not think in terms of advancement. Whenever he thinks of improvement, difficulties take the shape of mountains in his imagination. Weak and destructive thinking gets hold of him even before he has started the work and he is half-deed even before making any effort. On the other hand, the expectant person starts with delight. He considers difficulties as helpers in his march to the desired goal. Till the end he remains focused on the appointed job with full enthusiasm, hence his desires are completely fulfilled. Hope is life; despair or dejection is death.

A person had a good and flourishing business in Calcutta. With a huge income, a mansion, cars, servants etc he was very comfortable and happy. All of a sudden, there was a change in the situation. The business sustained a terrible loss and the creditors began to knock at his door demanding payment of their dues. This gentleman was an optimist. He sold the car, furniture etc, withdrew from the bank all the money he had and paid to full the debts due to his clients. Whatever little was left in the shape of ornaments he sold, raised some capital and started a small new business. in a very short time, the new venture flourished and he regained his original status. A person of hopeful temperament does not get frightened when facing adversity, while a despondent individual gets depressed and sits motionless even when an ordinary difficulty crops up. On many occasions, such persons succumb to heart attacks.

It is therefore appropriate that we should, while experiencing satisfaction in the present state of affairs, continue to hope for an infinitely better state in the future. Then only can we achieve something worthwhile in life. Inactive people are satisfied with an unchanging state of affairs. But our dignity lies in aspiring for a more beautiful future every minute. Constantly think positively about a future much better than the present and work for it, from this very moment. The chief virtue of a truly spiritual personality is that he entertains only thoughts of hope about a glorious future every minute.