Why Being Optimistic isn't the Same As Being Naive
- caitlinthiede
- Dec 22, 2015
- 3 min read
I've discovered that a lot of people share a common misconception about "optimists" and felt inspired to search Google for naivety vs optimism rants. I came across this and wanted to provide another perspective. Just because someone is optimistic, it doesn't mean they are naive. Maybe you've met someone that lives in fantasyland and refuses to see reality as it is, but I don't think that's what optimism is all about. At one point, I'll admit, I was an ignorant ass. I lived in this delusional realm where I thought certain things could not happen to me. I'll explain how I got to that state of mind in another post. Presently, I am a realist. I see things as they are, I don't excuse circumstances, and I certainly don't hold to a misconstrued reality. That being said, I wanted to clarify why my choice to be positive isn't the same as being naive.
1. I acknowledge my lot in life and I make the best of it.
If I were naive, I probably wouldn't acknowledge what I've been dealt. Instead, I may deny it because for some reason I would think that it really isn't as it seems. As someone who isn't afraid to accept reality, I look dead in the eye of my losses, gains, and opportunities. I am very conscious of what I have and what I am and make no excuses for it. I just assess what I have and go from there.
2. I hold myself accountable.
Naivety is more about external control. If I were naive, I would give credit to everyone but me, and in turn, I would kind of become a victim of circumstances. I probably would be inclined to blame other things - timing, fate, or destiny - for a lack of success in any given area. I only look to myself to measure my outcome in any given situation. I know that I am responsible for my actions and I can't control what anyone else does. I do still believe that some things are beyond our control - but not for everything!
3. I don't avoid responsibility.
If I were to believe that good things come my way while not doing anything to help guide those good things, then I would be naive. There is that age old saying "without a vision, the people perish" and it couldn't be truer. As someone who chooses to see the good in things, that doesn't mean I blindly trust in the wind to carry my dreams to me. Being optimistic means that I set out to make these things happen with intention. I accept greater responsibility for making what I want happen because as an optimist, I believe I can make it happen.
4. I seek understanding.
Ignorance has nothing to do with being optimistic. Sometimes people don't have a problem going through life knowing half-truths. I am not one of those people. I want to know everything so I can make decisions based on the right information. If I were naive, I think it's safe to say I would prefer to waltz through life knowing only as much is comfortable for me.
5. I am conscious of others.
There are many things I believe to be right and true, but that doesn't mean I naively walk around with my head in my butt. I know that everyone is an individual and is formed mostly by the cards they've been dealt in life. If I were naive, I probably would assume everyone thinks like I do, or at least tell them that they should. The reality is, I know I'm not God, and I know I can't change anyone.
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