Optimists are...

What is the difference between pessimists and optimists?

While pessimists are generally regarded as "desperate people", I would suggest that the reverse is true - optimists are much more desperate compared.

However, their desperation is NOT defeatist. It is horned for survival.

After all, how does one conclude on Abrahim Lincoln who strove for the American presidency for something like 18 times? Like Nelson Mandela who gave up half his life squatting in a cell or Aung San Suu Kyi who's doing that right this moment even? Same goes for Castro, Mao Tze Dong and Stalin. See, optimism is not restricted to "good fellas" only.

"But these are extraordinary folks in extraordinary circumstances", you may say.

Well, unless their blood run in another colour than red, they are just as ordinary as you and me.

So, what makes them extraordinary, then?

Well, I believe that they are all optimists. Optimistic about what the future holds and optimistic about themselves. But perhaps what is more prevalent is their optimism stems from within, not externally.

Their optimism and purpose-driven life is based on two factors:

1. Despite what other people say or do
2. Despite circumstances

See, everyone's greatest enemy or friend is never found externally. For honestly, no one can concern themselves more than you (because people are generally not bothered about anyone else but themselves). Neither circumstances also, for they are inanimate (neither possessing dynamism or activity).

Therefore, we are our greatest enemy, as well as our greatest friend. It just depends on who you want to be today. Who you will allow yourself to be today and who you will choose not to be today.

And like the saying goes : "If you want something done right, you've to do it yourself".

In other words, count on no one but yourself to get things done.