Poll: Bitter Cynic, or Sunny Optimist? Which are you and why?

[Philosoraptor]

I know we are all supposed to keep on the sunny side of life, keep a stiff upper chin and stay the positive course, but no everyone can do that. Some folks are quite gloomy and I can understand why.

Maybe I need to hear from more optimists, or hang out with them more.

[Armstead]

1. Depends on the day -- You need other categories

My own attitude about the state of things is not consistent.

Some days I'm optimistic, and feel like things are going our way. Other days I feel like we're going to hell in a handbasket at 90 mph....And other days I have mixed feelings about things....And then there the days when I just don;t care about the big picture stuff.


In general, I'd say I'm cynical about the overall political trendsa of the last 30 years, but there are always bright spots, and I continue to believe that the pendulum will swing (or is swinging) in a better direction again.

I also believe that one has to remain deliberatly optimistic at base. The real choice is not between optimism and despair, but between engagement or apathy. A belief that change is possible is necessary -- Otherwise the alternative is to just don't give a shit, drink some beer and enjoy American Idol.

[SCDem]

2. I'm a bitter optimist

Bitter about 2000 election, bitter about 2004 election, bitter about lost/stolen/missing votes, bitter about the fact that the Republican led Congress and administration only pay lip service to issues that actually affect me but all of a sudden act as if they are working hard when talking about issues that I don't give a damn about and will not help educate, clothe, feed or provide medical treatment for myslef and my son.

So I choose to take action - and the only reason that you can continue to fight the good fight with money, actions, meet-ups etc is because you are an optimist and have hope for things to come.

[sarge43]

3. Neither.

I try to be a realist or the middle way - hope and work for the best; expect and plan for the worst. I figure that way I'll be either pleasantly surprised or well prepared.

[bdamomma]

12. I am in the middle also

hope and work for the best, and never give up in the fight.

[Marr]

4. A few years ago, I was most certainly an optimist.

I'm talking in terms of government, and the idea that people will try to do what's right.

Over the last 5-6 years, beginning with Bush's out-in-open, slow-mo theft of the White House in 2000, that's eroded completely. I no longer have any faith at all in our government, and I think most of our people are easily manipulated by their own greed and hate.

I honestly used to be so naive that I thought even government officials were motivated mainly by a desire to do good- some just had different ideas of how to go about it. It's become all too obvious that the majority are motivated by nothing more than greed. Greed for money and privilege.

I'd say I'm a cynic on those issues now.

[Coyote_Bandit]

5. Both

An optimist by nature. A bitter cynic by experience.

[jwirr]

6. We just had a young man commit suicide here. I will remain

an optimist because the other way leads nowhere.

[WePurrsevere]

7. Neither... I'm a Realistic Optimist...

As a rule I know that positive thinking is what keeps you going... it gives you hope and you need that to fight, win and survive.

OTOH one also has to be aware of the negative challenges facing us in a "know your enemy" way. Sometimes the biggest challenge we face is "attitude" (both our own and others). It's so easy to get caught up in and worn down by all of the negative crap being thrown at us everyday but IME a lot of that negative crap may be more of a tactic of our enemy then reality.

Although it's certaily true that things look very bad and occasionally they may even be worse then some folks may think more often in time we learn that they are not as bad as we think they are and/or we're surprised that we survived and sometimes even thrived from the "gathering gloom". How we handle the "manure" that's dumped on us is what will make us or break us. We can choose to wallow in it, we can ignore it or we can use it as fuel and fertilizer for positive action, regrowth and change. Think about it... how often have most of us faced a life situation/challenge/crisis where we thought we'd never see the end of it or that it was "the worst" thing that could happen to us only to make it through and realize that it wasn't as bad as we had thought and perhaps had even ended up being the best thing for us in the long run because we DID survive and perhaps even thrived as stronger people.

[abluelady]

8. Good response

I think I'm a realistic cynic! lol I will keep on fighting but some days it sure is hard. I keep waiting to see one little thing that I do/have done that makes a difference.

[WePurrsevere]

13. We don't always see the changes we make.. sometimes the way we make a

difference is in being open with others about who we are and believe and in being an example that influences change in others.

Not all of us are destined to reach the masses like Martin Luther King's, Rosa Parks, Cindy Sheenan's, etc. Some of us are more like the small child walking along the beach, reaching out to help starfish that have washed up onto the shore by tossing them one at a time back into the sea. We may not be able to make a difference to the masses but we can and do make a positive difference to each one that we reach out to. Much like the man in the classic story "It's a Wonderful Life" I'm sure you've made more of difference then you think. B-)

Although it's very difficult at times I try to keep in mind an old adage a friend of mine reminded me of a year or so ago... Anyone can eat an elephant... one bite at a time. :evilgrin:

[abluelady]

16. One Bite At A Time, Huh.

I'll remember that on low days. lol

[BillZBubb]

9. Cynic and for good reason.

1. Ronald Reagan - 2 terms.
2. George H. W. Bush - 1 term.
3. George W. Bush - 2 terms.

At least half the people in this country are totally clueless morons. The Chimperor still has nearly 40% support. There is no reason for optimism.

[displacedtexan]

10. Cynical optimist here.

I still have faith in the US Constitution to prevail.

Maybe that makes me a naive cynical optimist.

I hope not.

[rememberearth]

11. I'm neither

it truly depends on the day. Today I look at all of the atrocities and I am in complete disgust. Tomorrow may be different.

[CPMaz]

14. Sunny cynic here. n/t

[Lilith Velkor]

15. The sunny side of life is problematic with no ozone layer

It's so nice and cool in the shade. B-)