I recently wrote about Optimistic Realism, being hopeful for good things but honest with yourself about the challenges that currently exist.

Being optimistic and having a positive attitude are not the same thing. They can work together, but they are inherently different.

Optimism looks to the future for a positive outcome.

A positive attitude gives you peace in the present, regardless of what’s going on in the moment.

Today has been a little more difficult – my head and neck hurt a great deal. That can make it hard to answer the question “how are you feeling?”

Optimistic Realism accepts the pain in the moment – knowing that it is temporary. I can live with it today while keeping hope for tomorrow. But that’s not an honest answer to the question.

My head and neck hurt a great deal. I am fatigued and achy. I am ready to cry from overwhelming exhaustion. THAT’S TRUTH!

But that doesn’t mean I’m not ok. I still have joy. I still have hope. It’s not either/or. I feel awful AND my heart is full. I am in great pain AND I see good things around me.

Acknowledging the negative isn’t a sign of weakness. If anything, it is strength. What you do with your heart once you acknowledge the negative is where it counts.

Are you bitter? Angry? Frustrated? Afraid? Does it do any good to have these emotions?

It’s ok to have a pity party, just don’t unpack and live there.

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy–meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.

Philippians 4:8-9