Positive thinking, or skepticism

[satinbutterfly]

So what do you think... is it better be positive, or to be skeptical?

As I'm sure you're all aware by now, I choose to be positive. Bad things have happened in my life, yes, but they've all led me to the person I am now, and I'm happy with who I am.

And, I believe that as long as I stay true to who I am, I can get through anything. Yes that means that I will get hurt sometimes, but sometimes pain is what we need to make us a better person than who we are before. And it enables us to understand and have compassion for others.

 

[Alien Allen]

be negative

that way good things that happen are a bonus and not an expectation

 

[satinbutterfly]

be negative

that way good things that happen are a bonus and not an expectation

Do you really think good things can happen to you if you're negative all the time? I think if you think negatively, then that's what you'll attract in your life.

 

[Springsteen]

Depends on the situation really, but on the whole i tend to be positive.

 

[Tyler Durden]

I've been negative, I've been positive.

I know which I prefer.

In recent times the best things have happened when I've been trying to be positive at a negative time. It may just be blind luck, but if I'd been negative at a bad time, I'd have had nothing to hope for

 

[Brujahpriest]

I'd like to say I am positive with a side of cynicism. Positive thinking can be good, but only as long as it is tempered with a balancing factor. Look for the good, but protect yourself from the bad.

 

[satinbutterfly]

I'd like to say I am positive with a side of cynicism. Positive thinking can be good, but only as long as it is tempered with a balancing factor. Look for the good, but protect yourself from the bad.

What's the point of protecting yourself? In the end, to you think it makes things any easier to bear?

I think if I kept part of myself back, I'd regret not giving whatever it was everything I had.

 

[Tyler Durden]

I'd like to say I am positive with a side of cynicism. Positive thinking can be good, but only as long as it is tempered with a balancing factor. Look for the good, but protect yourself from the bad.

If you are looking to protect yourself maybe you're not committing 100% to the thing in hand.

 

[All Else Failed]

I don't see how the two can be seen as totally separate. You can be positive and a skeptic.

 

[Tyler Durden]

I don't see how the two can be seen as totally separate. You can be positive and a skeptic.

In what sense? If you, for example, are diagnosed with an illness and you determine to be positive at all times and conquer it, but you're skeptical that you will!! That doesn't make sense.

Do you have examples?

 

[Brujahpriest]

What's the point of protecting yourself? In the end, to you think it makes things any easier to bear?

I think if I kept part of myself back, I'd regret not giving whatever it was everything I had.

Very few people get all of me.... VERY few. When I was younger I had unbridled optimism, it served to get me used... _alot_ mostly due to my own lack of vision and will.

I won't say that being protective makes anything easier to bear... if anything it makes it absolutely and soul crushingly lonely, which I must say makes me happy for the very few I mentioned above, but...

It spares that part of me for the few that are there closer to my heart .

 

[All Else Failed]

In what sense? If you, for example, are diagnosed with an illness and you determine to be positive at all times and conquer it, but you're skeptical that you will!! That doesn't make sense.

Do you have examples?

um what


I can be a positive person and be skeptical of things. I'm positive that I will have a good future because I work hard, but I'm skeptical of how the job market will be when I complete my masters, for example. They can be going on at the same time.


For instance, I am well known her to be a skeptic of the "supernatural". I do not believe in god. However, I'm still a positive person. So yeah, do the math.

 

[Tyler Durden]

um what


I can be a positive person and be skeptical of things. I'm positive that I will have a good future because I work hard, but I'm skeptical of how the job market will be when I complete my masters, for example. They can be going on at the same time.


For instance, I am well known her to be a skeptic of the "supernatural". I do not believe in god. However, I'm still a positive person. So yeah, do the math.

Well, to me, that's an anomaly. You're not truly being positive, because you're reserving the sense to remain skeptical. All that is, is that you are not clear what you think either way!

 

[All Else Failed]

Well, to me, that's an anomaly. You're not truly being positive, because you're reserving the sense to remain skeptical. All that is, is that you are not clear what you think either way!

so you accept everything thats ever been suggested to you? Of course not. You're skeptical of things as well.


You're not clear on semantics.

 

[satinbutterfly]

Very few people get all of me.... VERY few. When I was younger I had unbridled optimism, it served to get me used... _alot_ mostly due to my own lack of vision and will.

I won't say that being protective makes anything easier to bear... if anything it makes it absolutely and soul crushingly lonely, which I must say makes me happy for the very few I mentioned above, but...

It spares that part of me for the few that are there closer to my heart .

I think it's possible to still be positive, and not be used. And even if I were used, in the end, if I gave it my all, I have no regrets. That's left for the other person, who wasn't able to fully appreciate it.

um what


I can be a positive person and be skeptical of things. I'm positive that I will have a good future because I work hard, but I'm skeptical of how the job market will be when I complete my masters, for example. They can be going on at the same time.


For instance, I am well known her to be a skeptic of the "supernatural". I do not believe in god. However, I'm still a positive person. So yeah, do the math.

Well how can you be positive about your future if you doubt there will be jobs available?

And the second example are two totally different things. I'm not talking about skeptical in the sense of what you believe in spiritually, but more in the sense of your life.

 

[Tyler Durden]

so you accept everything thats ever been suggested to you? Of course not. You're skeptical of things as well.


You're not clear on semantics.

I'm very clear, thank you.

I decide to be positive or skeptical on matters on each of their own issues. I'm not positive about absolutely everything, but if there is a choice (and there usually is) I would rather be positive.

Being positive and skeptical is a half way house

 

[All Else Failed]

I think it's possible to still be positive, and not be used. And even if I were used, in the end, if I gave it my all, I have no regrets. That's left for the other person, who wasn't able to fully appreciate it.



Well how can you be positive about your future if you doubt there will be jobs available?

And the second example are two totally different things. I'm not talking about skeptical in the sense of what you believe in spiritually, but more in the sense of your life.

Because I'm realistic. Just because I may have doubt about the jobs that will be available to me after I get out of my masters program doesn't mean I'll be wallowing in negativity.

I'm very clear, thank you.

I decide to be positive or skeptical on matters on each of their own issues. I'm not positive about absolutely everything, but if there is a choice (and there usually is) I would rather be positive.

Being positive and skeptical is a half way house

I don't think you're understanding me


I'm not saying that the two can go together at the same time, all the time. I'm saying that you can be positive with things in life and skeptical with other things in life as well.





I think we're using the wrong word here as well. Replace "skepticism" with "cynicism" and it will work better.

 

[Brujahpriest]

I think it's possible to still be positive, and not be used. And even if I were used, in the end, if I gave it my all, I have no regrets. That's left for the other person, who wasn't able to fully appreciate it.

Well see that's just the thing, I am positive still, almost to a fault. I guess I just have watched too many people not just not fully appreciating it, but out right not appreciating it at all. I was no better than a shovel... I had my use and when I was done, it was to the shed with me.. or worse.

Either that or those people who are close to my heart I want them to feel special for being in the inner club

 

[Tyler Durden]

I don't think you're understanding me

I'm not saying that the two can go together at the same time, all the time. I'm saying that you can be positive with things in life and skeptical with other things in life as well.

I think we're using the wrong word here as well. Replace "skepticism" with "cynicism" and it will work better.

I think maybe neither of us is understanding rather than just me.

I've given examples, as have you, I don't think either of us will make the other see their view point.

That...I'm positive about

 

[Dana]

While I think positive thinking is always the best way to go, you need a little skepticism in life.