"Opti-Pessimism": A Balanced Outlook to Life

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If Alexander Fleming had dwelt so much on the side effects of Penicillin, the wonder medication that saved several lives in the early 20th century, perhaps many of us would not have lived long enough to read this article.

If the Wright Brothers had exercised a morbid fear of crash of their flying contraption, which sparked the invention of the Aeroplane, many persons today would be discouraged to travel long distances.

Does it mean we should always look at the positive sides of things only and ignore the possible unfavorable implications? No! We cannot do that.

While optimistic thinking invented the ship, pessimistic thinking led to the invention of lifebuoy to prevent death of passengers should the ship sink.

While optimistic thought invented the helicopter, pessimistic thought inspired the development of a device that can make passengers survive a crash. The inventor called it Parachute.

The beauty of optimism is in harnessing resources to improve quality of life, else it is wishful thinking. Likewise, fear or anxiety is not bad if it inspires processes or products that reduce or remove man's misery.


Shalom!

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