Staying Positive... AND Realistic

I recently saw this image posted on LinkedIn, what do you think?

During this tumultuous period in time staying optimistic or positive can be a chore wouldn't you agree? Whether it is concerns about or first hand experience with the pandemic on a health and wellness level; or being laid-off, or pay-cut; or being affected by riots and unrest. There are frustrations with childcare and education, with political mud-slinging and racism.

These are nothing new, but the recent "perfect storm" has been them colliding all of them together like some cosmic Big Bang. What will be the resulting universe after the dust settles? What will our "new normal" look like.

So should we be optimistic? Hope for the best? Stay positive? Unequivocally....Yes! We have to be all of these. For ourselves, our family and our community. I shudder to think of the consequences if too many people lose hope.

But we must temper that optimism with reality. There must be a plan. Being optimistic in a dire situation does not get you out of that situation. If your health has been attacked we are in the hands of medical providers, but we can do what we can to support those providers yes? If the political shenanigans of all parties is beyond tolerance, then get involved. If you are out of work, you can be optimistic that you will get a new source of income, you can be positive about the extra time with family or having time to get chores done. However, if it ends there, simply being optimistic, then there are darker days ahead.

So be optimistic. Be positive. Be cheerful. Be thankful even. But...be realistic. Have a plan. In fact, Hope for the Best, but Plan for the Worst. You can look for the silver lining but you need to be aware of what your new situation fully looks like. Otherwise, your optimism could be short lived...