Discussion about this post

User's avatar
Christian Claypoole's avatar

If I previously had seen Stockdale's comment about "the optimists," I have forgotten that moment. So I won't claim any originality to the following.

I have, for most of my life, described myself as a short term pessimist but long term optimist. Today may suck, and tomorrow and next week look bad or worse, but eventually things will improve, even work out to be great. Many times, events I perceived as bad at the time have turned out to have for the better later, even years later. This attitude has helped me through both bad times and good times. Never give up, never surrender, to quote from the movie "Galaxy Quest."

This has helped me partially adjust to the death of our daughter in September 2033. There will always be pain, and some regret for not retiring earlier to spend more time with her. The only consolation has been so many of her friends and associates telling my wife and I that she often talked about us in glowing terms. Love does not always conquer, but is surely an analgesic.

Expand full comment
Glitterpuppy's avatar

Prof. B: greetings. I find myself opening my mail in anticipation of your writings. I take a dose of your medicine and it helps me direct my thoughts and actions. I usually read you two times;amazing what sinks in my head on the second pass.

Thanks and best regards

James Pair

Expand full comment
5 more comments...

No posts