Confessions of a Pessimist

Hello.
My name is Teresa and I'm a pessimist.
This week my pessimism has been under
attack.

It started this Saturday when my pastor's
sermon (yes, I go to church on Saturdays)
was about having a more positive
outlook on life. Then the next morning
my mom was in the living room watching
on television the ever so happy Joel
Osteen. He has to be the most encouraging
person I've ever seen. Later that day
I decided to see the new age movie
The Secret after hearing much buzz about
it. The movie is about how thinking
positive helps you get things.

I realized how cynical and negative I have
become. Being a pessimist comes naturally
to me. It just runs through me. I also believe
it is reflected in my career choice.

I often think how can one be so optimistic
when there are so many bad and wrong
things happening everyday in this world.
But the people who make a real difference
have hope. For example, people like J.F.K,
Martin Luther King Jr., and Mother Teresa
had messages of hope.

I'm trying to learn to be less critical.