A.I.M. Users Bulletin Board

[Jennie]

To Robo, Rien, Bernie, TF, et al,

Boys, boys! Relax and stop the fussing. "Optimism" and "Pessimism" are aspects of inborn, innate emotional "sets" that are fundamental to people in different proportions--along with other innate affects. (Check out D. Nathanson and S. Tomkins among others). Reality testing is something else again. It is entirely possible to be optimistic AND realistic just as one could be pessimistic AND realistic. Of course emotions can distort reality (did someone say something about extreme investor sentiment?) and good appraisal of reality can certainly modify emotions. You don`t have to be fatuous or "unrealistic" to be up or down.

I feel so gloomy
When I should feel so happy
Which is realistic?

Cheers,
J