The Difference Between Optimism And Pessimism

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One way to look at the difference between optimism and pessimism: the former takes misery, the latter happiness for granted.

Happiness

Happiness (Photo credit: -Reji)

Happiness derived from ignoring others' suffering is false happiness, because it is based on personal luck so it can be transcient; happiness derived from passion or compassion is true happiness because it embraces all life brought to us, joy or sorrow, so it lasts as long as we live.

"How about money?"

Wooden Chair (Photo credit: epSos.de)

"No matter how rich you are, you have only one ass sitting in one chair." --- A guy interviewed by Bloomberg today.

Another day a not so well know friend called me, telling me that her new house (must be her second house) construction had just finished. I congratulated her. Then she asked about my health and everything else. I just told her that I was in very good shape, health was improving, and mentally I was very happy. As if disappointed by my answer, she asked: "how about money?" Surprised by this unexpected question, I asked how about it? She said that for all these years I must have no saving. I said that's right, because I barely had energy to take care of myself. "So?" She asked. Then I said that despite the difficulty, I still managed to make enough for me to live life. I also added that I don't really care much about money, because I believed that extra money don't bring extra happiness.

I don't remember exactly what's her response, but I do wish that I knew the quote above at that time so I could say: since I only have one ass and one chair, I have no money problem!

Individual Happiness

Happiness (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The more tragedies we saw in this world, the more we should try to make ourselves happy. This is because the only way to make this world less miserable is to appreciate lives, and the most directly individual lives we could appreciate are ourselves.