Thanksgiving and Optimism

 It’s almost thanksgiving, but when was the last time you heard someone say something expressing true gratitude? When was the last time you gave thanks for something? In contrast, when was the last time you complained about something or someone? The truth is it’s impossible to be thankful if you’re always discontent. If you think everything is going bad, how can you give thanks? Now is the time to examine your attitudes so you can truly give thanks next Thursday. Actually, it really shouldn’t matter what time of the year it is. The important thing to realize is that giving thanks isn’t something that has to be done like a chore. It is something that naturally occurs when people are happy and satisfied. It is the result of an attitude, not of getting something. A thankful person is thankful regardless of circumstance because they are optimistic. With that in mind, it is important to understand what it means to be optimistic. But it isn’t easy to be optimistic. There seems to be an epidemic of doom saying, complaining and overall pessimism in both the political and cultural world today. And this pervasive attitude is a most poisonous one. Like King Midas, people with this pessimistic attitude affect everything and everyone around them, which probably explains why so many people are adopting these traits. The only way to fight it is to proactively and consciously embrace a positive attitude and an optimistic outlook. First off, let’s look at the different definitions of optimism according to dictionary.com.

Optimism–noun 1. a disposition or tendency to look on the more favorable side of events or conditions and to expect the most favorable outcome. 2. the belief that good ultimately predominates over evil in the world. 3. the belief that goodness pervades reality. 4. the doctrine that the existing world is the best of all possible worlds.

The first part of 1 and number 2 are the ones that I would like to explore. First, disposition to look on the more favorable side of events. If you’ve read my myspace blog, you know that I strongly believe in the need for people to look on the positive side of things and to control their reaction to circumstances. Moreover, I believe it is our responsibility to act and be as happy as we can. My church even emphasizes this in what they call Christian hedonism which basically states that as Christians, we will be happiest when we are in God’s will. As my pastor John Piper summarizes it, “God is most glorified when we are most satisfied in Him.” Seeking true happiness is not only not selfish, it is the best thing we can do for those who care about us. Think what your attitude says about you, how it affects others, and how it reflects on the institutions and beliefs you support and identify with. It’s necessary to focus on the positives just to save one’s sanity. This is why the book, or at least the concept of A Complaint Free World: How to Stop Complaining and Start Enjoying the Life You’ve Always Wanted (and also one of my old favorites, Happiness is a Serious Problem by Dennis Prager) is so important. If you haven’t read them yet, unless you can go a month without complaining or can’t imagine being more happy, you need to read them. As for expecting good things to happen, while it isn’t always going to happen, there is a certain amount of self fulfilling prophecy that goes on every day.

The biggest reason not to give into pessimism is definition 2. Good will ultimately predominate over evil. This one isn’t up for debate if you believe in a just God. And none of the bad stuff is permanent. The vastly underrated Christmas song “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day” says (this part always gives me goosebumps) “‘God is not dead nor doth He sleep; The wrong shall fail, the right prevail, with peace on earth, good will to men.’” Don’t forget that and you won’t have much trouble staying optimistic, and you’ll find plenty to give thanks for on Thursday.

Ayn Rand and Happiness

First let me say that I considered reprinting the Dennis Prager article “Happiness is a Moral Obligation here. If you haven’t read it, I would very strongly encourage you to do so. In fact, stop reading my blog right now and read it, Prager certainly is a better writer than I and offers the kind of clarity of thought and understanding of happiness that few can match. The article can be found here: http://www.townhall.com/columnists/DennisPrager/2007/02/20/happiness_is_a_moral_obligation
The emphasis on personal happiness can seem to be a selfish one, but this is an idea that Prager constantly refutes. For some reason, this thought reminded me of Ayn Rand’s philosophy of Objectivism, and of my own experience of listening to Rand’s The Fountainhead. The Fountainhead is no doubt, one of the most influential books that I have had the pleasure to experience (though I regret to admit I only listened to the book on tape), and is really the story of one man’s pursuit of happiness. This exceptional man is the architect Howard Roark who refuses to compromise his ideals and his vision. Instead of accepting compromise in order to be civil or polite, Roark goes his own way and does what he knows will make him happy. 
There are two important things here to consider: first Roark knows what makes him happy, and second Roark refuses to allow others to make him unhappy. If everyone truly knew what made them happy (as opposed to what makes them feel good or gives them pleasure) and refused to allow others to keep them from being as happy as they can, imagine what a happy world ours would be. Happiness is contagious, after all. Rand’s philosophy of Objectivism can be defined as the belief “that the proper moral purpose of one’s life is the pursuit of one’s own happiness or ‘rational self interest.’”(wikipedia.org)
There are those who might view this philosophy as selfish and self serving. It is quite counterintuitive to think that others might be made happy by pursuing one’s own personal happiness. But the greatest deeds of selfishness are those that promise to make the doer more miserable. Consider the selfishness that is inherent in drug abuse or attempting suicide. Both of these extreme examples demonstrate the zenith of both narcissism and self destructive behavior. Yet if those who choose this path made choices that would lead to their own long term happiness, society would be the better.
From a spiritual perspective, I realize that the choices that I make that are based upon my understanding of God’s will for my life will result in the greatest happiness in my life. This certainly destroys any notion of a selfish motive. Anyone who has done any significant amount of service has realized that it truly blesses the servant more than those being served. It is only when the service is done of free accord though, that the servant is able to be happy in the work and effective in service. The last thing we need are those who are doing service with clenched teeth and forced smiles. But no Christian organization would impose Christian service as an obligation, would it? But I digress. The point is that it is one’s obligation to everyone who has to deal with them to act as happy as possible, and more importantly to be as happy as possible. Of course, it is more important for people to act morally and ethically, but if they do so without being happy, what are they saying about their lifestyle? If Christians are living their faith and walking with their God, how can they be unhappy? If they are good Christians, how can they evangelize with a frown on their face? Obviously, “lifestyle evangelism” is impossible for the chronic malcontent.