Optimism and its Confrontations
We have come full circle in this analysis of the unfolding duality: optimism-thesis plus confrontation-antithesis combine to generate a new manifestation of optimism-synthesis, which is the thesis at the next higher Level.
Optimism is manifested within via:
- : Dialogue
- : Possibility
- : Demonstration
- : Resolve
- : Narratives
- : Puzzles
- : Stability
It is evident that there is nothing intrinsically optimistic about any of these particular states. That confirms the taxonomic view that requires effort of a particular sort. It requires the willing and deliberate release of positive energies from the will, the root of all energies within human endeavour.
Confrontation that fosters takes the form of:
- : Propositions
- : Exposure
- : Limitations
- : Failures
- : Critiques
- : Inspirations
- : Opportunities
All these states are intrinsically confronting. They demand because they all touch on your vulnerability.
Propositions can and do prove false or go wrong. Exposure can and does lead to humiliation. Limitations activate feelings of weakness and helplessness. Failures lower self-esteem and reveal you are not omnipotent. Critiques touch raw nerves, undermine confidence and increase uncertainty. Inspirations can delude or raise fears of being tricked. And any opportunity ups the ante.
If you can say to yourself at critical moments: «vulnerability is perfect protection», then you will be emboldened and your fears should shrink sufficiently to be covered by your . This phrase is a mantra, not a statement of fact. The point of it is that you must discover, activate or generate the appropriate form of calm optimism in order to proceed. It will also help you get the backing of others.
The Perils of Pure Optimism
There is a trend, peculiarly American in nature, that espouses optimism as a panacea and solution to every difficulty. The magical efficacy of positivity is to be realized primarily by dreaming, desiring and wanting something: or alternatively by setting targets and goals for yourself. Such simplistic notions are probably unhelpful.
It is true that , via , does need to be wholehearted (). This is partly because is so important to handle the various confrontations intrinsic to creative work. However, the development of this framework revealed several other qualities essential for success:
- being meaningful ()
- being sensible (),
- being shrewd (),
- being reflective (),
- being adaptive (),
- being deliberate ().
None of these qualities are generated by pure optimism and . Yet without them, cannot be converted into the desired outcome.
Now:
- Consider another duality: its poles oscillate as you move up or down from one Grouping/Level to the next.
Originally posted: 17-Feb-2012.