We tend to view optimism and hope through the same lense. I know I did until recently I gained a better understanding of the words. Of course, we know they have different definitions but, we don’t always consider that when we are speaking about optimism and hope. Here is what I read recently from the book, Build The Life You Want: The Art and Science of Getting Happier by Arthur C. Brooks & Oprah Winfrey

“In 2004 through a study, two psychologist determined, “hope focuses more DIRECTLY on the personal attainment of specific goals, whereas optimism focuses more BROADLY on the EXPECTED quality of future outcomes in GENERAL.” In other words, optimism is the belief that things will turn out all right; hope makes no such assumption but is a conviction that one can act to make things better in some way.” -Arthur C. Brooks

“Both optimism and hope can make you feel better, but hope is much more powerful. Hope involves personal agency, meaning it gives you a sense of power and motivation.” -Arthur C. Brooks

I think of it like this; “I am optimistic about the future of this world” and “I am hopeful about the future of this world because I am working diligently to help strengthen people spiritually, mentally, and emotionally.” I don’t know if I am right about how I view this but, I think it’s close!

Optimism has its place and so does hope. They can be used together or separately. It helps us to deter becoming entrenched in pessimism. Before reading this chapter, I had no idea you could be a hopeful pessimist or a hopeless optimist! I’ll leave that for you to research.

~Nikki #atozchallenge2024