lexico
Chukchi Salmon
This reminds me of many things. When the actual outcome falls vastly short of expectations, the mind makes appropriate adjustments. Now every individual has different ideas about reality, and hence the disappointment would likewise be different, and adding to this are the different reactions. What comes about as a result can be quite varied. Self-negation has made people clinically depressed, just mildly realistic, or to wander off in search of true happiness as in the case of Siddhartha Buddha or St. Francisco. So in that sense, your definition of negative is more of a philosophical nature rather than in the ordinary sense of the word. Related though.smoke said:I believe...being negative is...being realistic...unfortunately.
I am also reminded of my dog. You see, the life of a big dog in my house offers little pleasure due to the strange house makeup (a little hard to explain.) But I noticed that she is always, I mean always, happy to see me. I often wonder what would happen if I could be half as happy as her. Would that make me unrealistic, or just a happy, jolly kind of guy?? :blush:
Strange coincidence, I would often tell myself exactly the same thing. After my busy life, I stopped thinking what you just said, but I guess it has already become part of me. I also wonder whether I have become chronically pessimistic or cynical. Btw, cynic means "doggy?" :blush:smoke said:There are two reasons why i look at certain things in a negative way.
1. If you look at things negatively and things do turn out negative, it doesn't hurt as much.
2. If you look at things negatively and things turn out positive, it comes as a pleasant surprise.
I belive the Stoics developed the "negativity" concept and packaged it under the title, ataraxia, detatchment from all worldly pleasures. Funny though, the Epicures were direct disciples of the Stoic school ?? Extreme seems to lead to other extremes. What do you think?? :blush:smoke said:A positive outlook on negativity...a definition of irony if ever i saw one.
I really wish we had a dog emoticon.