Monday, August 1, 2011

Quote of the Week


A pessimist sees only the dark side of the clouds, and mopes; a philosopher sees both sides, and shrugs; an optimist doesn't see the clouds at all - he's walking on them.  -Leonard Louis Levinson

This is an interesting take on life and how it is viewed from three perspectives, by using clouds as the canvas.  For the pessimist, life is stormy and uncertain.  The philosopher always sees both sides, so the dark clouds on the horizon are balanced by life's pleasures.  The optimist, however, sees only the brilliant blue sky as the clouds of life are beneath his feet, and every day is like a perfect summer afternoon.

11 comments:

  1. Hmmmm...I have always been an optimist... but with this quote I am more in the middle. Interesting!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I'm an optimist. And I tend to find other views pessimistic!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I wish I was more of an optimist. I think I lean towards philosopher.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Katherine- I am probably more in the middle, too.

    Linda- Optimists are probably happier overall.

    Meleah- I gravitate toward middle ground myself, based on this quote.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I am definitely in the philisopher zone according to this quote, Linda. I think we need those clouds from time to time (makes us appreciate the blue skies even more).

    ReplyDelete
  6. Talon- You're right about needing some dark clouds to remind us how great the blue skies are. I fall into that middle-of-the-road group, too.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Well, I guess I'm the only pessimist in the crowd. As soon as I saw the word cloud my mood dampened and I thought, 'Can't it just be sunny all the time?'

    And don't even try to tell me I wouldn't appreciate the sunshine since I would have nothing to compare it with. I'd find a way to appreciate it.

    ReplyDelete
  8. ....and every cloud has a silver lining. I'm an optimist.


    Looking for new blogs to read? ExposeYourBlog!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Cardiogirl- Responses to this are all across the board – we have at least someone in each camp. I tend to lean more toward the philosopher because in real life things don’t come up roses every day. Neither is every day filled with gloom.

    Anji- I’d rather be an optimist, but I’ll take the middle road, and keep the blue skies ahead of me.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I had a deep experience with this lately. I was counting all the stuff NOT yet done on the second cd I've been working on, instead of the progress I HAVE made.

    Feels good to see the glass half full!

    And the clouds as the gorgeous visions of love they are.

    xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  11. Jannie, sorry to be so late getting back here. It is much better to be able to see the glass half full. Way more satisfying.

    ReplyDelete

Hi, thanks for visiting my humble abode. All comments are read and appreciated.