I Have Optimism – A Story About What We Really Own

Three neighbouring farmers were talking when the subject of possessions came up.

“I own a huge mansion!” one proudly proclaimed.  “I own a successful farm!” said the second. “I have optimism,” the third said quietly.

His two neighbours laughed at him, for what good is a possession that cannot be seen or touched?

That night a huge storm struck.  The storm destroyed the first neighbour’s house.  “What am I to do?” he cried.  The storm ruined the second neighbour’s crops.  What will I do?” he lamented.  The storm also destroyed the third neighbour’s home and farm.  “Hmmm, what should I do first?” he asked himself and then he proceeded to rebuild his home and replant his crops.

His neighbours had been sitting around feeling sorry for themselves as they watched the third farmer rebuild, so they decided to ask him his secret to bouncing back so quickly.  “It is no secret,” the man said.  “The only thing I own is what I think.”  The two farmers suddenly understood, and with the third neighbour’s help, they rebuilt too.

From then on, whenever they met, they did not talk about possessions.  They talked about their blessings and shared them with each other, because they now realised that there’s little point in holding on to something that you do not own.

This story reminds us that whatever circumstances come our way, if we are able to maintain an optimistic and hope-filled perspective, we’re doing OK. 

An optimistic person is always looking for the best in any situation and expecting good things to happen. Optimism is the tendency to believe, expect or hope that things will turn out well.  Even if something bad happens, like the loss of possessions, loss of a job etc etc, an optimist sees the silver lining.

Being an optimist or a pessimist boils down to the way you talk to yourself. Optimists believe that their own actions result in positive things happening, that they are responsible for their own happiness, and that they can expect more good things to happen in the future. Optimists don’t blame themselves when bad things happen. They view bad events as results of something outside of themselves.

Change your thoughts... change your life !  Be Optimistic !!!