077

[attorneyatlol]

I don't seem to use this journal for much more than getting a hold of other people or complaining about viruses anymore, but a conversation got me thinking about what it means to be positive. I know, it's a trite subject, right? 'The power of positive thinking'. It makes me think of a self-help seminar... But to be perfectly honest, I'm not sure I'd ever accomplish anything if I wasn't sure I would accomplish it. I don't know how or why I developed that mindset or if it was even a conscious decision, but I'm grateful that I have. I can't imagine what would have happened if I'd given up on certain goals...

Don't get me wrong. It's not always easy, and nobody can be positive all the time, but I think it beats the alternative in a lot of cases.

I guess this is why some people have me labeled as an optimist.

Comments

[samuraiprosecutor]

(...I, unfortunately, can imagine all too easily.)

As anticipating the best possible outcome is the very definition of optimism, yes, I suppose that would be why.

[attorneyatlol]

I prefer the term 'realist with high expectations', personally.

...So, you're affected, too?

[samuraiprosecutor]

(Of course I am. Why wouldn't I be?)

In general, realists don't have very high expectations.

Obviously.

[attorneyatlol]

Wouldn't that make them closer to pessimists, then?

Ah. You don't have to comment if you don't want to...

[samuraiprosecutor]

Not at all. Pessimists expect the most negative possible outcome. Realists expect the outcome that facts dictate is the most likely, which may be neither or either.

(I'm well aware of that, Wright. Give me that much credit, at least.) If I didn't wish to comment, Wright, I wouldn't have commented.

(...As it is, there's very little I could think that you don't already know, and the conversation isn't likely to turn towards...the things you don't.)

[attorneyatlol]

I don't know. I don't think these kinds of things can be so easily defined. I mean, what if I said I knew I could accomplish my goals because I wouldn't accept any other outcome? Is that really being optimistic or is it just stubbornness?

As long as you're sure...

[samuraiprosecutor]

If you truly wouldn't accept any other outcome, I'd say it was foolishness. As you're well aware, often there are more factors involved than one man can possibly have any influence over. (Your miraculous track record still baffles me. If- When your streak of luck fails you... I don't want)

(...Not entirely.) Quite sure.

[attorneyatlol]

Haven't you called me foolish before?

...Alright.

[samuraiprosecutor]

(Only when it was deserved. So, numerous times.) I may have, at some point.

(...though I must admit that the title can occasionally apply to myself, as well. Case in point.)

[attorneyatlol]

It's nice to see you're so in control of your thoughts.

[samuraiprosecutor]

I'm faring better than some members, at any rate.

[attorneyatlol]

Really.

[samuraiprosecutor]

Really. (A frightening thought, isn't it?)

[attorneyatlol]

Hm.

So where on the spectrum do you see yourself?

[samuraiprosecutor]

You don't recall? I'd label myself a realist.

[attorneyatlol]

No, I remember. I just wondered if your opinion had changed any.

[samuraiprosecutor]

My opinion has remained consistent, in spite of your best efforts. I'm afraid I've seen too much of the world to be anything else. (...Though I must admit, there have been occasions when I've envied your naïveté. It's allowed you to accomplish more than I would have believed possible.)

[attorneyatlol]

I suppose I'll take that as a compliment.

[samuraiprosecutor]

...As you wish.

[attorneyatlol]

You know, I think you're a little more optimistic than you let on.

[samuraiprosecutor]

(...Obviously, you would.)

An optimistic, rather than a realistic, assumption. I see things as they are, Wright. (And I suspect your influence is one of the sole reasons I can't claim to be a pessimist.)

[attorneyatlol]

Maybe. But do you know how many people would look at what you're trying to do with the court system and tell you it's realistically impossible?

[samuraiprosecutor]

(...Too many. Far too many.)

I'm under no delusions as to the viability of our goals. What one expects and what one is willing to work towards, regardless of the outcome, are two entirely different factors.

[attorneyatlol]

Well, maybe I am an optimist, then.

[samuraiprosecutor]

Maybe so.