Living Realistic but Optimistic

Let’s start with a quote from James Clear about his approach to living a realistic but optimistic life. "When I go into a situation, I try to keep a mindset of baseline optimism. When starting the day, it's going to be a good day. When meeting someone new, I'm going to like them. When trying something challenging, it's going to work out. Problems will inevitably arise, and I'll deal with them as the situation demands, but I prefer to assume I'm on a winning path until proven otherwise."  

If you were to ask me, “Ed, what is the most amazing continent you have traveled to?” My answer is Africa. I have visited 22 countries in Africa. Having been on many African safaris, I’ve learned many life lessons from watching the animals and their interaction. Have you ever heard a lion roar who is close to you in the middle of the night? I have. It's terrifying. Remember that old song about the lion sleeping tonight? It's a good thing when the lion is sleeping tonight and not hunting. 

Here's a lesson from some animals in Africa. The lesson is about how an impala interacts with a lion in the wild. I have observed what I am writing about in Africa many times.

Watch how an impala acts when it is close to a lion. The impala knows there is danger but doesn't freak out. It doesn't run 30 miles away, overreact, cringe in fear, or die from fright. But the impala is vigilant. It distances itself from danger. Why? Reality denied comes back to haunt. But the impala keeps grazing, staying with the herd, and living life like an impala should. The impala keeps on, keeping on. It's aware of the threat, and that life must go on. Assuming the impala is healthy, most times, the only impalas eaten by the lion are those who are ignorant or arrogant. Ignorance is being unaware. Arrogance is being aware of but not being wise or careful when the situation requires it. 

The impala is a living example of what our outlook should be during these challenging times. Be aware and be vigilant, but don’t let fear of the future put you into a deep freeze, cowering in your living room chair. In other words, don't be fearful, don't be fearless; be alert, not asleep; be careful, not careless. Don't be frantic, but don't be complacent. Don't obsess, one way or the other. Most of all, don't be ignorant, and don't be arrogant. Let's be realistic but optimistic.

Today, many live at the extremes of either paralyzing fear or unbridled arrogance, neither guaranteeing a good outcome. A pastor in Tennessee wrote about how he lives when challenges and danger come along. His approach is like that of the impala. It's a good strategy for when the lion is not sleeping tonight.

“I trust God, and I wear my seatbelt. I trust God, and I wear a motorcycle helmet. I trust God, and my boat has enough life jackets for everyone on board. I trust God, and I use oven mitts with hot dishes. I trust God, and I lock my house at night. I trust God, and I have smoke detectors in my house. I trust God, and I take my prescribed medicines. I trust God and will follow the best guidelines to share the task of flattening the curve. Acting with caution and wisdom does not indicate a lack of trust in God."

Let’s go on with life in an intelligent, discerning, and optimistic way. Don't let fear run your life. Worry is a cycle of inefficient thoughts whirling around the center of fear. Let God run your life. There are lions, but God is in the jungle, too. "Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong." (I Corinthians 16:13). In other words, live realistic but optimistic.

Here is a final thought by James Clear about making optimistic but realistic decisions. 

"I think about decisions in three ways: hats, haircuts, and tattoos. Most decisions are like hats. Try one, and if you don’t like it, put it back and try another. The cost of a mistake is low, so move quickly and try a bunch of hats.

"Some decisions are like haircuts. You can fix a bad one, but it won’t be quick, and you might feel foolish for a while. That said, don't fear a bad haircut. Trying something new is usually a risk worth taking. If it doesn't work out by this time next year, you will have moved on, and so will everyone else.

"A few decisions are like tattoos. Once you make them, you have to live with them. Some mistakes are irreversible. You may move on for a moment, but then you'll glance in the mirror and be reminded of that choice all over again. Even years later, the decision leaves a mark. When dealing with an irreversible choice, move slowly and think carefully."

Curiosity killed the cat, but it also landed on the moon and walked on water. Which will we focus on, the dead cat or the moon? It doesn't always have to be negative, but negative does happen. The same is true of positive. It doesn’t always have to be positive, but positive does happen. So, use your horse sense. It leads to stable thinking. Or should I say impala sense? It leads to able thinking.