Hope and Cynicism
By Shiva
@Shiva49 (26684)
Singapore
November 8, 2022 8:37am CST
After being born here, we have to adapt, which applies to all other species, including trees, plants, etc.
Right from my younger days, I recall hope and cynicism have been alternating. I don’t suppress the latter as it looks like an integral part of our lives. However, hope lights a candle for our future. Cynicism keeps us rooted in the harsh reality.
My general approach has been to hope for the best but to be prepared for the worst. I think that applies to mankind too in general. Let us not get carried away to take things for granted. We should be prepared to fight against the wall, and pick up the pieces after reversals.
Life keeps us on our toes with challenges galore. Maybe, that is the best possible way for us to prove our mettle.
Image: Hope from free media site Pixabay
17 people like this
16 responses
@RebeccasFarm (89883)
• Arvada, Colorado
8 Nov 22
It is in me to always be prepared, but I know that I fail on this count. I am never as prepared as I think.
4 people like this
@RebeccasFarm (89883)
• Arvada, Colorado
9 Nov 22
@Shiva49 What a relief indeed, I know the feeling Shiva
3 people like this
@allknowing (136446)
• India
8 Nov 22
It is easy to handle problems if they are converted to challenges.
3 people like this
@Shiva49 (26684)
• Singapore
9 Nov 22
Thanks, life is not smooth sailing.
"If wishes were horses, beggars would ride".
Also, the higher we soar the harder we fall.
I recall a few that made me disoriented - felt like a knockout punch from Mike Tyson!
But I got up and lived to fight on.
3 people like this
@aninditasen (16395)
• Raurkela, India
9 Nov 22
Where there is hope there has to be despair to make each other prominent.
3 people like this
@Shiva49 (26684)
• Singapore
9 Nov 22
Everything has a duality factor in creation, in a way complementary.
We need hope to live but also have to get used to despair.
My belief says to do your duty but not get fixated on the outcome.
That way, we accept the fruits of our efforts without rancor.
3 people like this
@aninditasen (16395)
• Raurkela, India
10 Nov 22
@Shiva49 As doing your duty is essential so to having an expectation. However over expectation is not good.
2 people like this
@Jenaisle (14078)
• Philippines
29 Nov 22
That's absolutely right. Hope is what fires us to keep going despite the challenges we encounter in life. Without hope, I may not be able to plod on with all these daily struggles. Hope gives us hope that everything will turn out for the better.
2 people like this
@innertalks (21916)
• Australia
9 Nov 22
Some might argue though, that if we prepare for the worst, that might be what we get, but that would be only if we become obsessed with that negative outlook. In other words, a self-fulfilling prophecy!
In reality, is there a best, or a worst, though?
It is all relative, in some senses.
We should just prepare, and be ready for all possibilities, and whether it is the worst , or the best, will be seen much later down the track, with more wisdomed eyes, usually then too.
Sometimes the worst, as seen now, turns out later to be the best, as seen in hindsight, and vice versa too.
@innertalks (21916)
• Australia
9 Nov 22
@Shiva49 I must admit that I never do have a plan B, in the arrears, unless, I am playing a game of chess, then I have a few plans planned, not just a move B, but perhaps a C, and a D too.
I prefer to trust life, and people, and put all of my eggs in the one plan A.
At times, this unsticks me, but still, I would still rather live my life in this way.
I like to think that if my plan A jells with God's master plan for my life, I would never need a plan B, in arrears, but if an unexpected twist comes to the path, I see that more as God changing his plan A, and so mine changes then too.
Plans can be changed, and should not be unchangeable then, but flexibly made.
A plan with a clause or two in it, of possible changes, could be compared to you having a plan B, in a way too, I suppose too.
2 people like this
@Shiva49 (26684)
• Singapore
10 Nov 22
@innertalks Plan B is more of a safety valve for me, sort of not putting all the eggs in one basket.
As I had worked in a few countries, I had to think if I had to pack and leave all of a sudden. Plan B kicks into action only when Plan A is in shambles and I am left high and dry.
In fact, it so happens we worry about those which never happen but out of the blue, we are hit between the eyes to disorient us. Then we pick up the pieces and move on.
2 people like this
@Shivram59 (35505)
• India
18 Feb 23
@Shiva49 Agree.Life is a challenge in itself.Hope for the best and remain prepared for the worst.
2 people like this
@Shivram59 (35505)
• India
19 Feb 23
@Shiva49 Exactly.It is hope that shows us the way in absolute darkness.
2 people like this
@Dreamerby (5153)
• Calcutta, India
8 Nov 22
They say 'Change is the only thing thats constant' So we have to learn to adapt
2 people like this
