Optimism vs. Pessimism
Guidance for Reciting
Optimists are those who get treed by a lion but enjoy the scenery. There seems to be a natural cause-and-effect relationship between optimism and success. I believe in the upward look and I choose to highlight the positive and slip right over the negative.
Optimism and pessimism are both powerful forces，and each of us must choose which we want to shape our outlook and our expectations. We have ample sorrow and happiness，sufficient joy and pain to find a rational basis for either optimism or pessimism. It's our decision―to laugh or cry，bless or curse.
An optimistic attitude is not a luxury，but a necessity. The way you look at life will determine how you feel，how you perform，and how well you will get along with other people. Conversely，negative thoughts，attitudes，and expectations feed on themselves；they become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Pessimism creates a dismal place where no one wants to live.
Optimism diverts our attention away from negativi** and transfers it into positive，constructive thinking. When you are an optimist，you're more concerned with problem-solving than with useless carping about issues. It takes a dreamer―someone with hopelessly optimistic ideas，great persistence，and unlimited confidence―to tackle a problem. It's your choice.
乐观主义与悲观主义
诵读导言
乐观主义者是那些被狮子逼上了树但仍能欣赏风景的人。乐观和成功之间似乎有一种天然的因果关系。我喜欢展望未来。我选择注意积极面，忽视消极面。
乐观主义和悲观主义都是强大的力量，我们每个人都必须做出选择：究竟用什么来塑造我们的看法和期望。我们有足够的悲伤与快乐、欢喜与痛苦作为乐观或悲观的根据。选择笑，或者哭；选择祝福或者诅咒，这由我们决定。
乐观的态度并非遥不可及，而是生活必需。你看待生活的方式将决定你的感受、你的表现、你的人际关系。反之，悲观的想法、态度和预期也自成因果：它们是能自我实现的预言。悲观所产生的是一个消沉的地方，没有人愿意居住。
乐观主义使我们把注意力从消极转向积极，从而进行建设性的思考。如果你是一个乐观主义者，你将更关心问题的解决，而非毫无意义的吹毛求疵。问题的解决需要一个拥有梦想的人――一个坚定乐观、矢志不移、信心无限的人。选择就在你手中。
Notes
1.self-fulfilling [7self ful5filiN] a. （预言等）本身自然会实现的，自我实现的
2.negativi** [5negEtivizEm] n. 否定论，消极论，反对癖性
3.carping [5ka：piN] a. 吹毛求疵的，挑毛病的
读后札记：
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