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Being An Optimist In A Pessimistic World

Our world may be a negative place, but I'll do my darnedest to make it a little bit brighter!

Emma Brooks

Jan 03, 2017

Metro Detroit

Being An Optimist In A Pessimistic World

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I love looking on the bright side. Ever since I was little, I was known as the smiley child. Most would agree that I just never stopped smiling! (And let's be real, it's still true today! I just can't help it, "I love smiling, smiling's my favorite!") As a kid, I just smiled because I was polite and I liked making others happy. As an adult, I smile because I'm optimistic! I love seeing the good in people and situations.

This is proving to be quite hard in the pessimistic world we live in now.

Our news outlets are filled with sad stories, criminals and scandals. There are corrupt politicians everywhere we look and we are taught that "happily ever after" is only found in fairytales. People see the glass as half empty and seek to find the bad in every person or situation. They see the worst aspects of our world and the people in it.

While our world is filling with negativity, I'm going to try and shine my light as bright as I can. I'm going to spread love, kindness and other good qualities as far as possible. I know I'm only one person, and I may not be able to change every person whose path I cross, but gosh darn it, I'm gonna spread my happiness and positivity whether they want it or not!

How can I stay optimistic amongst all the negativity? I owe a huge portion of this to God. I know that He has a perfect plan for all of us and is leading us all down a good path if we let Him! With the decision of accepting Jesus into my heart came a responsibility — a responsibility to shine for Him, to show the world His grace, mercy, and love. This helps a ton when trying to stay positive!

People think 2016 sucked and took too many celebrities' lives? There's a time for everyone, and their times all just happened to end in the same year. Think of the good times of this year, I'm absolutely sure not every moment was terrible.

People think there are only bad people out there? What about the people in the peace corps, people who volunteer their time, or people working on cures for diseases? Those with big, kind, giving hearts ARE out there. Promise.

People hate the snow? Look at how beautiful it is when the sun shines on it! Hate the rain? The plants have to get water somehow! Hate the sun? Nobody hates the sun, so I think we're all good there!

So as we're entering the beginnings of 2017, find the good in every day, in every person and in every situation. Be happy and get out there and spread your joy!!

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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Being An Optimist In A Pessimistic World

Our world may be a negative place, but I'll do my darnedest to make it a little bit brighter!

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Or at least try to do.

1. I will wake up (sorta) on time for class.

2. I will look decent for class.

3. I will go to the gym more.

4. I will go to the library and study more.

5. I will meet new people.

For those long nights that turn into mornings when the struggle is real.

1. Walk in motivated and ready to rock

2. Disappointed you let it get this bad

3. Distracted: When a 10-Minute Break Becomes an Hour

4. When the Yearning for Sleep Sneaks Up

5. In the words of Lorelai Gilmore "Coffee, Coffee, Coffee"

Oh, so done.

You need sleep, but also have 13 things due in the span of 4 days.

1. When it's December 1 and you have seven things due, three exams, and haven't slept in three days.

2. So you stress.

3. And cry.

4. Then call your mom to cry some more.

5. After the pep talk, you feel determined to get everything done.

6. But, now you're tired.

7. And really hungry.

8. Suddenly, it's 2 a.m. and you have only written three sentences and your paper is due in the morning.

9. You've made it to Friday... somehow.

10. Then Sunday hits and you find yourself back at the Lib.

11. So you cry some more.

12. But, you fight through the tears to get everything done because you're determined.

13. In the end, you feel on top of the world because you made it through the last week of class alive.

14. But, now it's finals week so good luck.

The ultimate list and gif guide to a college student's brain during finals.

What does the world outside the library look like?

Can I read this entire book tonight?

I should have gone to class more often.

Did the professor even teach this?

What is the lowest grade I can get on this exam and still pass the class?

Should I just drop out of school now?

Finals are ruining Christmas.

Just wrote three sentences so time for a break.

Need. More. Coffee.

What is sleep?

I'm too stupid for college.

Brain hurts.

Time for a Facebook Break.

I think I'm dying.

When will I ever need this information in the real world?

I can't read any of my notes.

I need my mom.

When was the last time I showered?

I need study snacks.

The struggle is so real right now.

"I want to thank Google, Wikipedia, and whoever else invented copy and paste. Thank you."

1. I'm so tired. I need a nap. Maybe I can sleep with my eyes open in class? Or pretend I'm not napping?

2. We have a test today? Why didn't anyone tell me? Did I know this?!

3. Can I quit school yet? It's only October, and I need a vacation.

4. The struggle is so real.

5. I'm so broke. SOS.

6. Stressed? Eat everything you own in your pantry and stuff your face with all your feelings.

7. "Did we have anything due in class today? Homework? Quiz? Test?" "Not that I know of..."

8. I need food. Where is the closest place to get food? I need it stat.

9. This is the longest day of my life. I need a drink, or two, or three.

10. Sleep? What is sleep? What a foreign concept.

11. When someone suggests going and studying in the library, let alone studying in general.

12. When the cafeteria or student center is packed and you can't find a seat anywhere so you literally have to sit in an abandoned corner.

13. When you see someone you used to hook up with. They see you, and approach you; so you have to pretend like everything is normal.

14. When you get your exam and realize you didn't study as much as you should have.

15. When you crush it on an exam or paper that you totally bullshitted.

16. I need a grande, extra strong coffee to get me through today.

17. When the professor announces you have a project due the following week with no instruction on what it's on and how to do it.

18. Is it Friday yet? Where's the weekend when you need it most?

19. It's freezing in here. I feel like I'm sitting in an igloo. I should have brought a jacket or worn long pants.

20. Did I remember my book? Damn, I forgot the book, and of course I need it for that quiz in class.

21. I would pay a million dollars to not go to class today; or actually never again.

22. I need a hoverboard to ride to class. Maybe then I wouldn't be running 15 minutes late to class every day.

23. Oh she/he's cute! I wonder if they're single. Who are they texting? They're BF/GF? I wonder if they think I'm cute. Could they be a potential new bae?

24. Why is there never any parking? I pay thousands of dollars a year for one parking spot to be open.

25. When it feels like you've been in class for an hour and you look at your phone and it has only been five minutes (I'm crying on the inside).

26. When the professor asks if there are any more questions at the end of class and someone raises their hand.

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