You’re Too Optimistic

“I am an optimist. It does not seem too much use being anything else.” — Sir Winston Churchill

Whaddya think? Agree with Sir Winston, disagree, or get that other line over there?

My dad held Churchill in hero status, regularly tossed out quotes of his (both authenticated and attributed), and loved his writings. Especially his speeches.

Maybe it was because the grind of so much of life can wear one down. If you and I had time, we could compare notes. And bruises. And scars.

Maybe it was because he’d made it through many of life’s valleys, tunnels, and mazes. And fumbled for light switches on several walls. And crashed into a couple of dead ends along the way.

“Junior” as his family called him, landed regularly and finally where the line forms behind this optimistic declaration: “I am an optimist. It does not seem too much use being anything else.”

Woven in there is a sense of having tried other perspectives but finding them lacking.

Been there. You, too? Have journeyed on the pessimistic trip of expecting the worst and then never being disappointed. Stopped at more than one alleged Rest Area on my way. When one is fogged in, that perspective has an alluring call. But I found the land of Pessimists offered only a limited perspective, and the air smelled rancid and tasted worse.

Not far away is another place I also know well. You, too? It’s filled with smiling people who nod knowingly. Get closer and they’re inviting and welcoming. Only upon entering their group does one notice that their smiles are really smirks, and their seeming happiness is bitter. Two real life heroes of mine, both named Gene, warned me at critical times to avoid the grasp of such Cynics.

“I am an optimist. It does not seem too much use being anything else.”

Let’s help each other remember these things.

Thank you, Sir Winston Churchill. Thank you, Gene L. and Gene S. And thank you, Dad.

And thank you, Brother Paul: “Finally…think on these things.” Those are the words that frame the content of Philippians 4:8. Take a moment and see what’s in that concise frame. Even if you have his list memorized, look it up to be sure you have the elements in their proper order. And then do indeed “think on these things.”

And know that I look forward to hearing from you, any of the usual ways.

And I hope to see you back here tomorrow.