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Pragmatic Optimism

Written by: Zig Ziglar

Article Overview: Most people consider me an optimist because I laughingly state that I would take my last two dollars and buy a money belt. I'd even go after Moby Dick in a rowboat, and take the tartar sauce with me! However, I've got to confess that I don't hold a candle to the ultimate lady optimist who lived in a retirement home.

Pragmatic Optimism

Most people consider me an optimist because I laughingly state that I would take my last two dollars and buy a money belt. I'd even go after Moby Dick in a rowboat, and take the tartar sauce with me! However, I've got to confess that I don't hold a candle to the ultimate lady optimist who lived in a retirement home. One day, a distinguished-looking gentleman also became a resident. As luck would have it, the first day they sat across the table from each other at lunch. After a few minutes he grew uncomfortable because she was staring intently at him. He finally expressed his discomfort and queried her as to why she was staring. She responded that she was staring because he reminded her so much of her third husband--same demeanor, same smile, same height, weight--everything. The gentleman replied in some shock, "Third husband! How many times have you been married?" The lady smilingly said, "Twice." Yup. That's optimism!

I've got to confess I'm a pragmatic optimist myself. I love the story of the gentleman who was being given a tour of the Mann Center for the Performing Arts in Tel Aviv. The tour guide was pointing out the features of the incredible structure. The stonework was unbelievably beautiful. The wall tapestries, paintings, gold inlays, etc., were absolutely gorgeous. Finally, the tourist said, "I assume you named the facility for Horace Mann, the famous author." The tour guide answered with a smile, "No, we named it after Frederick Mann from Philadelphia." The tourist remarked, "Frederick Mann? What did he write?" The tour guide said, "A check." Now, that's being pragmatic!

It might interest you to know that the 1828 Noah Webster Dictionary identifies the optimist in complimentary terms, but says nothing about the pessimist. The word "pessimist" was not in our vocabulary at that time. It's a modern "invention" which I believe we should "dis-invent." I encourage you to become an optimist--a pragmatic one, that is, because if you do, I'll SEE YOU AT THE TOP!

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Article Tags: 1828 noah webster dictionary, demeanor, famous author, frederick mann, gentleman, height weight, horace mann, last two dollars, mann center for the performing arts, moby dick, modern invention, money belt, noah webster dictionary, optimist, pessimist, retirement home, rowboat, stonework, tartar sauce, wall tapestries



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