Our awful world is full of unavoidable problems. However, what if these problems disappear suddenly; would that make us optimistic? Optimism is an attitude focusing on the positive view of events and circumstances. The optimistic attitude stems from the uncertainty of our future and not from the problems. So, optimism carries an equally important value even if all our problems are solved. Optimism is not unnecessary in a problem – free world, because we still have to make daily decisions that affect our uncertain future.
In a world without a problem, there are no challenges which pushes us to strive for the better. In our current world in which suffering is inevitable, we achieve and move forward by confronting a hopeless situation. All human achievements originate from a tragedy which challenges us to change. In a world where there is no problem, however, optimism is the key to create change. Optimism derives from our uncertainty about our world, and not from the problems that we face. Likewise, even if the problems are gone, uncertainty still remains in the world, such as fear of recurring problems or who you may meet tomorrow around the corner. It's important to be optimistic, nevertheless, how small these decisions are. By contrast, pessimistic thinking and expressing anger only makes people feel worse about their situation. A study found that hitting a punching bag or having vengeful feeling about someone makes people feel worse than better. Therefore, a pessimistic attitude does not provide us with any benefits. To be optimistic is not to be totally confident that the world will improve, but that we must not give up before all opportunities are gone. Our life is a game, not to play is to never win, but if you play, you have at least a small chance of winning. In a world without any problems, we need optimism so we don’t give up. Instead, hope for at least a slight chance of winning.
Life is certainly not all about winning. Even when we don't win, the process is fun and fulfilling in the fact that we were involved. Optimism increases our happiness through hope and enjoyment, finding our meaning our life in the process. Originally, problems provided us with a reason to change and finding the meaning throughout the process. Optimism is even more valuable to the problem – free world. Optimism in our current world is often underrated and criticized on. It is claimed to be underestimating negative results that may happen and being too focused on the positives. However, optimism isn’t being oblivious to all of the negatives, putting on rose-tinted glasses. It is important to think rationally but optimistic at the same time. Optimism is often the key to our survival and motivation which keeps us alive. For instance, after examining 750 Vietnamese war veterans held for approximately eight years as prisoners, they were found to be surprisingly resilient. There was one recurrent features that all these veterans were described as; they were all optimistic. It can be realized that optimism had provided them motivation and protected their mental health. Similarly, optimism gives us motivation in a world without a problem. Since, motivation will be impacted heavily if problems aren’t present. If we remember our history, not of cruelty, war, and violence, but of kindness, compassion, and courage, it will give us the motivation to act. We need to put an emphasis on the best of history instead of the worst. If we do act, instead of waiting around, there is at least a possibility that the world could change.
Revolutionary change is not the result of an enormous cataclysmic moment, but of innumerable small optimistic decisions. Our world is advancing through small acts multiplied by millions of people. Optimistic and pessimistic thinking does not stem from the problems we face but from our uncertain future. Therefore, even if all the problems in our world are magically resolved, optimism is not unnecessary. If we believe in the worst, it will destroy our ability to do better. This leads to a stagnant world, since there are no problems that enables us to move forward. Optimism offers us the chance to act and live our lives to the full.