I have a new friend I met early this year who is quite on the logic-heavy side, and considers himself a pessimism. His asterisk to accompany that statement is he’s a *positive* pessimism. Meaning, he prepares for the worst (the second half of the quote to “Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst.”) Because to be prepared for the worst means you’ll rarely be disappointed or left high and dry. Because if you’ve already imagined the most pessimistic outcomes, you’ll rarely need to reel yourself from a rude awakening. And if anything, expecting the worst outcomes will actually leave you feeling pleasantly surprised afterwards, positive even. And thus, positive pessimism. I had this thought about a month ago in May. Things had finally settled and nothing stressful needed to be tended to. But the thought crossed, reminding me memento mori, nothing lasts forever. And lo and behold, the roommate drops the news how the lease is actually up in a month and they don’t plan on renewing. Fuggg. My boat was rocked, but at least not too badly. I’d already gone though the moving process so many times this past year, so I know I could take this head on. Still a bitch, still stress-inducing, but definitely manageable and not too overly surprising. And so today happens to be my friend’s birthday. And with that, I toast to the reminder to stay fluid, “Be water, my friend.” Entertain the most pessimistic circumstances, only to feel positive about everything else around you. MUSES: #mondaymusing #mementomori #thistooshallpass (at New York, New York) https://www.instagram.com/p/CClnP0jDKxM/?igshid=wofdroepjtid
