Optimism :)

I have no idea where this post will lead to, but reading Dr. Seuss wonderful short book ‘Oh! The Places You’ll Go!’ made me think about what a great opportunity we got coming to a place like MUWCI.

“You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself any direction you choose.
You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the guy who’ll decide where to go”

I think we all tend to forget quite often what a great opportunity we got coming here, and what a great place this is. How many people can, at the age of 16-18 or so, just leave everything and come to a new, so different, country and get to know people from all over the world. To go own your own, be independent, learn so many new things. When I first heard about UWC it sounded to me like a dream. When I got in it was a dream coming true.

“And when you’re alone, there’s a very good chance you’ll

meet things that scare you right out of your pants. There are

some, down the road between hither and yon, that can scare

you so much you won’t want to go on”

And still, with all the pressure and all the difficulties it is all very easy to forget. I think we let school stuff take over us too much. We let misunderstandings and arguments with friends and so on to take over our mood too easily. We forget what really cause us happiness under all the things ‘we need to do’.

These tense days I’m trying to be optimistic, laugh at me as much as you want. I’m trying not to fall under the pressure, and enjoy the things I really like. Surprisingly it also makes school stuff much more interesting and enjoyable.

Optimism is "an inclination to put the most favorable construction upon actions and events or to anticipate the best possible outcome" It is the philosophical opposite of Pessimism Optimists generally believe that people and events are inherently good, so that most situations work out in the end for the best (Definition from the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary).

You’ll get mixed up, of course, as you already know. You’ll get mixed up with many strange birds as you go. So be sure when you step. Step with care and great tact and remember that Life’s a Great Balancing Act. Just never forget to be dexterous and deft. And never mix up your right foot with your left.

There are different arguments for or against optimism. Some may say it encourages passivity.This presumption is not always true. I agree just sitting and thinking positively won't do any good. I just think that being in an optimistic state can make it easier to do the things we need to do, and relieve the pressure. It may be different for different people. Some may need this negative pressure in order to make themselves move things. But if we can find a way to get to do everything without that, it would be much more pleasant.

So guys (well, probably no one is reading it, so I’m practically talking to myself. Never mind…) – try to relax and think positively. Don’t get so stressed. Grades are really not everything. This two years are going by so fast so don’t regret later for not enjoying the most out of it. As the Indian mystic and sage Meher Baba said: don’t worry be happy!

And will you succeed?
Yes! You will, indeed!
(98 and ¾ percent guaranteed.)

Kid, you’ll move mountains!
So…be your name Buxbaum or Bixby or Bray or Mordecai Ale Van Allen O’Shea, you’re off to Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting.
So…get on your way!