Thread: Are you a pessimist?

Originally Posted by DOMS

Are you certain that the book is titled Three Days to See? I can't seem to find it. Do you have the ISBN?

It's not a book, but an article she'd had published in Atlantic Monthly click the link and read the page, as thats the article....

Originally Posted by maniclion

It's not a book, but an article she'd had published in Atlantic Monthly click the link and read the page, as thats the article....

Ah, my mistake. I thought it was a synopsis. Thanks for the link.

Originally Posted by Vieope

Did you want to tell everyone about it then?

It's a complex story so I will give you the gist of it.

I grew up in what I thought was a lower middle class setting but in actuality it was lower class. I never seemed to make the right decisions in life and paid for it, rightfully so. I never accepted responsibility for my place or direction in life. Basically, I was everything I despise now.

In 1999 after working for my best friend for 4 years and jealous of his success, I said to myself I need to make a change. I wasn't sure what that was at the time, maybe a new job, relationship, and then it hit me. I didn't need to change what was around me. I simply needed to take action to what was in front of me.

I set out to get the licenses needed to further my career. It took some time. Probably longer than it should have but the point is I did it. Over the last 2 years my income has increased 75%. I still work for my best friend, only now I think it's the best decision I've ever made. My outlook on life is certainly different.

This doesn't mean I am an optimist, because I'm not. Again, I'm a realist. I simply now believe that you get what you give. Sometimes things don't work out for you but in the long run they will.

Sorry I couldn't make it more eloquent, but I'm a black and white kinda guy.

Originally Posted by largepkg

It's a complex story so I will give you the gist of it.

I grew up in what I thought was a lower middle class setting but in actuality it was lower class. I never seemed to make the right decisions in life and paid for it, rightfully so. I never accepted responsibility for my place or direction in life. Basically, I was everything I despise now.

In 1999 after working for my best friend for 4 years and jealous of his success, I said to myself I need to make a change. I wasn't sure what that was at the time, maybe a new job, relationship, and then it hit me. I didn't need to change what was around me. I simply needed to take action to what was in front of me.

I set out to get the licenses needed to further my career. It took some time. Probably longer than it should have but the point is I did it. Over the last 2 years my income has increased 75%. I still work for my best friend, only now I think it's the best decision I've ever made. My outlook on life is certainly different.

This doesn't mean I am an optimist, because I'm not. Again, I'm a realist. I simply now believe that you get what you give. Sometimes things don't work out for you but in the long run they will.

Sorry I couldn't make it more eloquent, but I'm a black and white kinda guy.

Originally Posted by DOMS

It's a great book. It's in the common domain. You should be able to find a legal copy online.

I didnt finish it a few years ago. But as the author says, you dont really need it.

Pessimists are entertaining. The latter is boring. I want to hear about how someone's day sucked. I want to hear about how enraged, saddened, depressed, or tense their environment caused them to react this way.

Then suddenly, my life doesnt seem so bad.

Comedians = pessimists = entertainment.