I think of myself as an optimist for when a challenge arises or a roadblock is encountered, I seek a solution. I actually believe a solution is possible and, consequently, I do not stop until one is identified. But I wasn’t always that way…I had to learn how to be an optimist…I had to practice being an optimist. And somewhere along the way…I don’t even remember when…being optimistic was my go-to response.

Was I born a pessimist? Was I taught to be a pessimist? Of the nature vs nurture perspective, for me I am confident it was from the nurture camp. Growing up, my environment told me I was a victim…for I was a child who was…literally…victimized…I was specifically targeted by events and circumstances of which I had no choice but to suffer. Consequently I developed a learned response of being impacted by external forces and I developed the perspective of pessimisism…which an online dictionary defines as the tendency to see, anticipate, or emphasize only bad or undesirable outcomes, results, conditions, problems, etc. It makes sense that would be my perspective because that was my reality. But…and this is the kicker…there came a day that I moved from a child to an adult and…guess what…I maintained my child-view of the world…without any thought or consideration of the validity of my premise that the world was a dangerous place. In other words, I perpetuated the victimization….I took on the role of one of life’s victims and wore my victimization like a badge of honor...

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