I'm an Optimist...And It Can Suck

"Hi, my name is Jeff...and I'm an optimist!"

I find this to be one of the biggest assets in my life. My optimism is what allows me to maintain my high workload, remodel my home, be a teacher, a husband, a parent, and still have some semblance of peace and energy.

But Optimism Sucks Sometimes...Here's Why:

#1: You see the best in everyone

You're probably thinking

Okay wait, that sounds like a good thing!

IT IS...until you realize that many people never think they are worth what they could be. I see a lot of friends sell themselves short of what they could be. They talk themselves down (maybe for fear of failure or fear of not attaining their goals) and end up settling for something that is mundane and fails to bring them that greater sense of joy that they were looking for.

(P.S. This does not mean that being a 9-5'er or trade worker etc. is selling short. I have a friend who works the line at Consumers Energy and wishes he found that position 20 years ago because he loves it that much.)

(P.P.S. The greatest sense of joy you can experience doesn't come from work or accomplishments but through finding your identity in Christ and who he has made you to be. There ya go...you just won life...you're welcome)

#2: You Get Shut Down Frequently

I am the KING of "it can be done" and "there is a way to make that happen". Everything is possible if you just put your mind to it!

Because of this, ideas often go overlooked as too optimistic and not a realistic option. To be fair, there are quite a few ideas that I have that you could call "out there" but a lot of the ideas are real possibilities that just require some serious work and a positive attitude.

#3: People Assume You Have It Together

"They have such a great perspective! They must really know what they're doing with their life."

HA! This is the one I struggle with the most.

Yes, I did get married, buy a home, start a business and have my first child in my first 21 years of life. That means that life came at me fast and that God blessed me immensely with a great community of friends, great opportunities in business, and the greatest wife a guy could ask for. Don't assume I have it all put together because that is the biggest lie you could believe. 'Nuff said.

#4: Running Late Becomes An Issue

I recently learned this one about myself! I hate being late, but it happens ALL THE TIME!

Being an optimist means that I tend to over estimate what I can do with my time. So if I have 1 hour before a meeting I assume that I can finish my blog post, hit the gym, shower up and head to Taco Bell for a quick bite before my meeting starts.

Since I am becoming more self-aware in this, I am able to "trick" myself into getting places on time. It also really helps that I have a wife who refuses to be late to anything and doesn't struggle with optimism the way that I do.

#5: Slowing Down Is Hard

I'm too pumped up on what can happen and the things we can accomplish to stop and rest! This one kills my wife the most I think.

I am antsy...I like to hang out with friends and laugh, work on projects, go to the gym, and have meaningful conversations.

BUT DOING NOTHING IS THE WORST!!!!!!!!!!!

My wife says it is necessary sometimes to chill out and relax for an evening from time to time and do nothing...she's probably right...but I still have yet to figure out how to do nothing unless I have the stomach flu.

The Benefits Outweigh The Cons

I'm not surprised I think that...because after all I am an optimist!

But in all seriousness, it does suck to be an optimist at times and see the world for what it could be and friends for who they could be as people if they just applied themselves. But I believe it to be far better to be able to see the upside and strive hard after it than to not believe that the upside exists.

I am energetic, I love my life, my wife, my kid(s), my family, my job and couldn't be more thankful to God who gave them all to me. So I'll keep on kickin' the same old optimistic way.