Pollyanna? Nah. But I was an idealist in my youth. I was content that the world is an overall good place. That evil will never prevail. I believed that I would live to see a major championship in my hometown.
I must have been happy. People told me I smiled a lot. I never tried, never noticed, never knew exactly why. It was just me. I like people that smile. I took it as a compliment.
One day while working as a marketing executive at Thistledown, the C-Town thoroughbred track, I passed a regular railbird heading toward the exit. I smiled at him and nodded “hello”. He must have lost a photo finish with the last of his dough because he looked at me with bitter, squinty eyes and said, “Is that all you ever do is smile?”
Why I let this affect me, I have no idea. The guy was just having a bad day. But I couldn’t stop thinking…” Do I walk around all day looking like a schmuck with a stupid ass grin on my face?”
From that day forward, I was more serious, more cynical, definitely more of a realist. The Browns, Indians, and Cavs didn’t help the situation. I’m no Debbie Downer. At least I didn’t think so.
While skimming through a magazine, I came across an article about being more optimistic.
It suggested that every night, think of 3 good things that happened to you that day. It trains your mind to think positively. So I tried it.
Day 1: Hard to think of 3 good things.
Day 2: Started looking for them.
Day 7: I was making them happen.
Day 10: Asked hubby his 3 good things and it doubled my own.
Day 12: Asked my best friend and it tripled.
And so on. And hence, the Optimistic Schmuck blog is born.
So tell me three good things that happened to you today. Or this week. Or this year.
The optimistic me is smiling at everyone again but now I know exactly why now. Because I like to see smiles back.
The Optimistic Schmuck Mission Statement:
And every draft, training camp, and opening day brings new hope.
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