Is it bad to have a rosy view of the world?

[rocklobster]

I've been accused of having a "rose-colored" view of the world. This means that I ignore the ugliness and only focus on what's good. I don't want to become cynical because I think that's not what God wants us to be. He wants us to be filled with joy because He saved us. But there are times when I wonder if my worldview is a bad thing. There is a saying that reinforces my worldview:
"Shoot for Heaven. Even if you miss, you'll land amongst the stars."

[Sheenar]

No, but you still need to be aware of reality. You can believe that things will all work out because God is in control. But still being aware that there are evil things in the world because man is lost. Just be careful that you're not "too Heavenly-minded to be any earthly good."
It's ok to be optimistic, just make sure that you keep in touch with the fact that the world is full of people who are hurting and who need a Savior.

[termyt]

People behind rose-colored glasses are among the most fun people to be around.

If you understand the situation around you, a good amount of innocence and naivete is refreshing. It is far better to see the potential in something than the odds against it working out. If you possess such a quality, hang on to it.

Refusing to accept reality in favor for a dillusion, however, does not serve anyone's purpose.

[Prince Asbel]

I agree with the other two. While having a positive attitude is great, I would draw a line at the point where you begin to refuse to recognize the evil in the world for what it is.

[Danderson]

Ditto on what these 3 said......

Our world needs more optimists.....I think an easy trap to fall into with this world-view might be depending on your feelings too often....There will be times that u might not be having a good day, but that shouldn't control ur life....

[EricTheFred]

It is right to be an optimist, but wrong to deny the negative. In fact, Christ told you to seek out the negative, to confront it and charge headlong into it. "I was hungry and you fed me," etc.

You see, he was telling you to see the positive, to know that that you could and should make a difference. He was telling you that the world is a hard place, but a better place because his father has sent you here to help out.

Don't ever wear rose-colored glasses. Make your glasses as clean and unsullied and far-seeing as you can find, to seek out those who need you. Trade that rosy view of the world in for a rosy view of what you can do to make it better.

[Shao Feng-Li]

There's nothing wrong with assuming the best of people and situations- giving the benefit of the doubt. You just can't deny the negatives.

[Radical Dreamer]

No, but you still need to be aware of reality. You can believe that things will all work out because God is in control. But still being aware that there are evil things in the world because man is lost. Just be careful that you're not "too Heavenly-minded to be any earthly good."
It's ok to be optimistic, just make sure that you keep in touch with the fact that the world is full of people who are hurting and who need a Savior.

Quoted for truth. I'm optimistic myself, but it's important to understand that we live in a fallen world and that life is hard sometimes.

[QtheQreater]

Well, a rosy view certainly beats the alternative. I always prefer to have optimists around more than pessimists when it comes to working on projects or getting any kind of charity work done.

That being said, the others are right about remembering that we live in a fallen world. BUT DON'T EVER LOSE YOUR OPTIMISM! That kind of viewpoint can be a huge blessing to those around you.

-QtheQreater, former hardcore cynic

[Tsukuyomi]

I agree with everyone else here ^^ I've been told the same way actually ^^; That I view the world in rose colored glasses, but that's ok. I don't mind that said about me, but I do realize that the world isn't perfect. Nor, do I expect it to be. Yes, I'd like it to be, but that will happen on it's own time ^__^

There's a lot of ugliness in this world of ours, but there is beauty as well ^ ^

[RobinSena]

Yes.

I would extrapolate, but that would probably just spark a debate.

[Syreth]

Well, to give a good answer I would have to know what you mean by "rosy view of the world." Even though a positive attitude is generally a good thing, there are some forms of optimism that are outright delusional. I usually just accept reality, make the most of it and try to remember that God gives us hope, regardless of our circumstances.

[Nate]

He wants us to be filled with joy because He saved us.

That's true but being filled with joy doesn't mean being happy all the time. I mean I wasn't particularly happy when my dad died. I wasn't happy when a cyclone killed over 100,000 people in Myanmar. That doesn't mean I lost my joy that I was saved, but I certainly wasn't happy. Also suffering from mild depression doesn't make me a particularly happy person. I merely know my soul is safeguarded.

So in conclusion, yes, I think viewing the world through rose-colored glasses is very bad.

[GeneD]

If you mean a viewing the world through rose coloured classes in the sense that you're living in a sunshine filled haze ignorant of the actual state of the world, then yes, it is bad. But I'm going to assume that you meant it more along the lines of being a realistic optimist. In that case it is best to maintain a healthy balance. I think Sheenar said it quite elegantly in her post.

[Fish and Chips]

I tend to have a very dark view of the world, partially because of my Christian beliefs. We are sinful people in a fallen creation, and things will not improve until the very end. I cannot ignore this.

However, I prefer not to be depressed by this, and generally try carry myself with a casual good nature with a sharper critical edge.

[minakichan]

I'm a pessimist.

If I was an optimist, my life would be a lot better. I would be less fatalist, I could enjoy the little things in life, and I'd be able to sleep at night without constantly being plagued by really pointless worries.

As everyone's said, being stupidly optimistic is... stupid. I do think that it's better to be excessively optimistic than excessively pessimistic... cuz while you may die prematurely, at least you enjoyed some of it =D

[Alexander]

I'm an extreme pessimist with an ounce of hope. By my own personal choice of course.

As for the question, yes, definite yes. Although I could say I'm only speaking for myself as I have a very hard time keeping myself hopeful and my expectations are always set to "expect the worst and anticipate it when it happens". But for the general conscious, it's best to have a balance in how you work in life. To anticipate the negative when it happens, and to hope for the best when it comes.

[mechana2015]

By your definition, yes. Ignoring certain things can leave you blind to various situations, and cost you dearly if you assume the best of everyone and everything, no matter what.

[oro!]

Ignoring what's going on around you can, well, lead to something bad happening. I am usually the optimist in my group of friends, simply because I feel that someone needs to show people that there is a good side to most things in life( Biblically,

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

However, if you just take for granted that good things will happen without trying to make that the case, then it won't. For example, one time I wanted to give a friend a ride home after school We waited about 15-30 minutes for her, then optimistically believed that she had gotten another ride(naive is a better word). She ended up walking home, a walk that took her a few hours.
So, be positive(apparently that can be good for your mental health), but don't be delusional with it.

[OhElk]

I kinda used to be like that, but then some stuff happened in my life and I was caught off gaurd. This world is ugly and disgusting with a side of Beauty and love. I think it's a ballance of understanding and joyfulness. You can't be completely one-sided.

[mitsuki lover]

On the one hand I can be optimistic.I know that there's no way I can change the large things and the little things I should let slide.On the other hand I don't trust people unless they have earned my trust.Sadly Mith,
UCPseudonym,Roy Mustang,Warrior4Christ,etc. are among those I find that I cannot trust.

[GeneD]

Sadly Mith, UCPseudonym, Roy Mustang, Warrior4Christ, etc. are among those I find that I cannot trust.

...

[animewarrior]

I am a pessimist. I find people with rosy views of the world to be annoying. However, if you just mean that you look on the bright side, than that's ok.

I guess I avoid people who are always happy because I think that 1) they are high on something...XD 2)They act happy just to hide their inner sadness.

I am aware that this does not do anything for my "emo" stereotype that surrounds me but hey I said what I think. As Fish and Chips said, we live in a fallen world....and for those who had the impression I'm an optimist....you are severly wrong.. XD

[Amzi Live]

I tend to have somewhat of a rose view of the world too.It's cool cause I don't think it's healthy to always be pessimistic,and paranoid.Yet I've learned that this world is full of so many bad things.Good think we don't know of all the evil out there cause everyone would be running around the street like crazy people.

[animewarrior]

Good think we don't know of all the evil out there cause everyone would be running around the street like crazy people.

Too late. For me at least.

[Roy Mustang]

I agree with mechana2015.

I'm a optimist that lives in reality. Its an ugly yet beautiful world out there and there are things that you cannot control in life. All you can do is believe that things will all work out because God is in control.


Things are going to happen to good people and we can never understand why. We shouldn't be bitter about things that have happen to us. Believe me, I could have a bitter pessimistic outlook on my life, for all I had to deal with from being born with a heart problem, to bad blood giving, when I had open heart surgery to losing most of my hearing at age 14.

But I know that if I became bitter and had a pessimistic view, my health wouldn't got any better.

So, I think the view of having a rosy view of the world is not good, but at the sametime, its not good to always have a pessimistic view as well about the world.

To me, the glass is never half full or half empty, I just have a good waiter at my table and that is God.

[font="Book Antiqua"][color="Red"]Col. Roy Mustang [/color][/font]

[Amzi Live]

....and for those who had the impression I'm an optimist....you are severly wrong.. XD

I was severely wrong!:forehead:

I agree with mechana2015.

I'm a optimist that lives in reality. Its an ugly yet beautiful world out there and there are things that you cannot control in life. All you can do is believe that things will all work out because God is in control.


Things are going to happen to good people and we can never understand why. We shouldn't be bitter about things that have happen to us. Believe me, I could have a bitter pessimistic outlook on my life, for all I had to deal with from being born with a heart problem, to bad blood giving, when I had open heart surgery to losing most of my hearing at age 14.

But I know that if I became bitter and had a pessimistic view, my health wouldn't got any better.

So, I think the view of having a rosy view of the world is not good, but at the sametime, its not good to always have a pessimistic view as well about the world.

To me, the glass is never half full or half empty, I just have a good waiter at my table and that is God.

[font="Book Antiqua"][color="Red"]Col. Roy Mustang [/color][/font]

*Claps and whistles*

[Mr. SmartyPants]

To me, the glass is never half full or half empty, I just have a good waiter at my table and that is God.

I'm stealing this from you.