Preparing to speak about Karma at the Optimist Club, today, led me to consider Pessimism, as well.
It seems to me that pessimism must be born out of a belief that the world is unjust and unfair; a sense of individual powerlessness; fear of random occurrences which are viewed as “bad luck” or “bad things happening to good people;” and a sense of victimization.
Such a world view would never be held by one who understands and accepts the law of Cause and Effect–Karma–to be a perfect, impersonal, undeviating fact of life.
Optimism, on the other hand, springs from a solid belief that our world is governed by fair and just natural and spiritual laws. In such a world, no one is a “victim” because the Law of Reciprocity insures that we reap what we sow–always. Every thought, word, and deed; every cause we set into motion results in an effect we will have to experience–either in this life, the world beyond, or another life on earth. This is not punishment but, rather a just and natural method by which to return us to a state of equilibrium/homeostasis. Nothing in life “just happens.” There are no “victims.” And human beings are powerful in that it is we ourselves who create the life experiences we live–both the good and the bad.
Such a world view would only be held by one who understands and accepts the Law of Cause and Effect–Karma–to be a perfect, impersonal, undeviating fact of life.
Below is the Creed of Optimist International. If you find it appealing, I’m sure you will be able to find a local branch near you:
Promise Yourself:
To be strong so that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.
To talk health, happiness, and prosperity to every person you meet.
To make all your friends feel there is something in them.
To look on the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true.
To think only of the best, to work only for the best, and expect only the best.
To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.
To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to greater achievements in the future.
To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile.
To give so much time to self improvement that you have no time to criticize others.
To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.
