A friend of ours recently received a daunting diagnosis. The way his two adult daughters are reacting to the diagnosis are profoundly different. One is optimistic believing that, with the right treatment, he will be okay. The other feels that she is being more realistic in terms of the effect of this diagnosis. I do not know which daughter is right but my conversations with them got me to thinking about the difference between being an optimist or a pessimist.

Are you the type of person who sees a glass half full or half empty? The age-old debate between optimism and pessimism seems to shape how we experience life, tackle challenges, and approach the unknown.

In my conversations with my friend’s daughters, it seems that the optimist almost sees opportunities in difficulties. She believes that setbacks are temporary and that things will eventually work out.  The pessimistic daughter is approaching this issue with caution, expecting difficulties before they arise. While this may seem like a negative trait, it may have its advantages. She seems a bit more realistic and is helping her father make well-informed decisions.

Is either approach better? I do not know. Perhaps balance is the key?

Do you consider yourself more of an optimist or pessimist?