I believe in optimism as a default position. As an educator, as a leader, as a human being.
Optimism is usually defined as “looking on the bright side” or “glass half-full” thinking. That’s not how I’d define it. Better would be: optimism is confidence before you know the solution to the problem you’re facing.
I don’t know how I’m going to find the hours to do the writing I need to do this week. But I’m confident I will.
I don’t know how the group preparation will look like at the end of this week’s rehearsals. But I’m confident they’ll be near where we want to be.
I don’t know how our country is going to move from division to unity in the months ahead. But I’m confident we’ll find a way.
Hopeful for the future, trusting in the goodness of humans, and willing to work with others to finding the solutions needed: that’s optimism to me.