...chrismaddox...

Why is Optimism a faux pas?

Recently, I’ve been having the time of my life. Nothing has really changed from the outside. But there has been a shift in me. I finally feel truly happy. Now, trying to express this to my loved ones has been a slippery slope. I find myself wanting to tone it down, be self-deprecating, make it into, you know, this little thing that’s going on with me- no big deal.

My question is: Why is optimism a faux pas?

As I start to leave drama behind, I’ve been discovering the many ways the world is trying to suck me back in. I’ve been listening to songs I’ve loved for years and watching movies I’ve seen a hundred times. But suddenly I see things I’ve never seen before. There is this reverential feeling about pain and heartbreak. Cynicism=cool. Life is a struggle. Fight for what you want. Bleed to know you’re alive. - You get the idea.

I’m starting to feel the way I did when I realized 75% of the food I ate as a child had high fructose corn syrup in the top two ingredients.

I want to be a part of creating art, relationships, a country, a world that dares to be happy and kind. I know there are terrible things happening all over the world-rape, poverty, hunger, WAR. I understand that it may be hard to feel positive about the future but we are young and have potential to make a HUGE difference.

Luckily for me, I am not living in the midst of a war. The most I can do from where I’m sitting is be compassionate, responsible, conscience, and loving in my life and hope it spreads. I know it will.

I am officially declaring Optimism the new Cynicism.

So that makes me cool, right?