Pessimism and Optimism. Part I

Author: Alexandra

An optimist thinks that this is the best possible world. A pessimist fears that this is true.

Questions for discussion:

~ What is the difference between pessimists and optimists?

~ Are you a pessimist or an optimist? Why?

~ What do you typically do if things come tough? (shut down completely; turn to friends/family for support; remind yourself to focus on the good things in your life instead of the bad; try to look at it from different angles in order to come up with a solution; refuse to give up, no matter how tough things get)

~ Why do people become pessimists or optimists (under necessity of circumstances, because of inborn features of character, etc)? Can optimism be a self-taught thing?

 

Pessimism and Optimism. Part II

Author: Alexandra

The optimist is as often wrong as the pessimist, but is far happier | The nice part about being a pessimist is that you are constantly being either proven right or pleasantly surprised

Questions for discussion:

Please, give your opinion about the next statements:

~ Nothing of value can be learned from failure | I can definitely learn something from a bad situation and work it out: everything happens for a reason

~ I find it`s better not to get my hopes up, so that I don`t end up disappointed | Things turn out best for those who make the best of the way things turn out

~ I believe that what can go wrong will go wrong | There`s no need to plan ahead when taking risks that I`ve successfully dealt with before.

~ If I ever need help, I believe that my friends and/or family will be there for me | I`m better off looking after myself because I can`t rely on others to do so

~ Even if I`m sure about my ultimate choice, I still ask others for advice before making an important or risky decision | I keep my problems to myself

~ The world will be a better place for everyone by the next century | This is a dog-eat-dog world; and it will remain the same

~ Some people are doomed to live an unhappy life - there`s nothing they can do to change that | Every human is the master of his/her life.