If you expect something to turn out badly, it probably will. Pessimism（悲观） is seldom disappointed. But the same principle also works in reverse. If you expect good things to happen, they usually do! There seems to be a natural cause-and-effect relationship between optimism and success.
Optimism and pessimism are both powerful forces, and each of us must choose which we want to shape our outlook and our expectations. There is enough good and bad in everyone's life -- ample（丰富的） sorrow and happiness, sufficient joy and pain -- to find a rational basis for either optimism or pessimism. We can choose to laugh or cry, bless or curse. It's our decision: From which perspective do we want to view life? Will we look up in hope or down in despair?
I believe in the upward look. I choose to highlight the positive and slip right over the negative. I am an optimist by choice as much as by nature. Sure, I know that sorrow exists. I am in my 70s now, and I've lived through more than one crisis. But when all is said and done, I find that the good in life far outweighs the bad.
An optimistic attitude is not a luxury; it's a necessity. The way you look at life will determine how you feel, how you perform, and how well you will get along with other people. Conversely, negative thoughts, attitudes, and expectations feed on themselves; they become a self-fulfilling prophecy（预言）. Pessimism creates a dismal place where no one wants to live.
Years ago, I drove into a service station to get some gas. It was a beautiful day, and I was feeling great. As I walked into the station to pay for the gas, the attendant said to me, "How do you feel?" That seemed like an odd question, but I felt fine and told him so. "You don't look well," he replied. This took me completely by surprise. A little less confidently, I told him that I had never felt better. Without hesitation, he continued to tell me how bad I looked and that my skin appeared yellow.
By the time I left the service station, I was feeling a little uneasy.
The next time I went into that gas station, feeling fine again, I figured out what had happened. The place had recently been painted a bright, bilious（胆汁的） yellow, and the light reflecting off the walls made everyone inside look as though they had hepatitis! I wondered how many other folks had reacted the way I did. I had let one short conversation with a total stranger change my attitude for an entire day. He told me I looked sick, and before long, I was actually feeling sick. That single negative observation had a profound effect on the way I felt and acted.
The only thing more powerful than negativism is a positive affirmation, a word of optimism and hope. One of the things I am most thankful for is the fact that I have grown up in a nation with a grand tradition of optimism. When a whole culture adopts an upward look, incredible things can be accomplished. When the world is seen as a hopeful, positive place, people are empowered to attempt and to achieve.
相关单词：pessimism
pessimism解释：n.悲观者，悲观主义者，厌世者
pessimism例句：
He displayed his usual pessimism.他流露出惯有的悲观。
There is the note of pessimism in his writings.他的著作带有悲观色彩。
相关单词：optimist
optimist解释：n.乐观的人，乐观主义者
optimist例句：
We are optimist and realist.我们是乐观主义者，又是现实主义者。
Peter,ever the optimist,said things were bound to improve.一向乐观的皮特说，事情必定是会好转的。
相关单词：outweighs
outweighs解释：v.在重量上超过( outweigh的第三人称单数 )；在重要性或价值方面超过
outweighs例句：
Her need to save money outweighs her desire to spend it on fun. 她省钱的需要比她花钱娱乐的愿望更重要。 来自《简明英汉词典》
Its clarity in algebraic and analytical operations far outweighs any drawbacks. 文化代数和解析运算中的清晰性远远胜过任何缺点。 来自辞典例句
相关单词：dismal
dismal解释：adj.阴沉的，凄凉的，令人忧郁的，差劲的
dismal例句：
That is a rather dismal melody.那是一支相当忧郁的歌曲。
My prospects of returning to a suitable job are dismal.我重新找到一个合适的工作岗位的希望很渺茫。
相关单词：hesitation
hesitation解释：n.犹豫，踌躇
hesitation例句：
After a long hesitation, he told the truth at last.踌躇了半天，他终于直说了。
There was a certain hesitation in her manner.她的态度有些犹豫不决。
相关单词：queasy
queasy解释：adj.易呕的
queasy例句：
I felt a little queasy on the ship.我在船上觉得有点晕眩想呕吐。
He was very prone to seasickness and already felt queasy.他快晕船了，已经感到恶心了。
相关单词：bilious
bilious解释：adj.胆汁过多的；易怒的
bilious例句：
The quality or condition of being bilious.多脂肪食物使有些人患胆汁病。
He was a bilious old gentleman.他是一位脾气乖戾的老先生。
相关单词：accomplished
accomplished解释：adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的
accomplished例句：
Thanks to your help,we accomplished the task ahead of schedule.亏得你们帮忙,我们才提前完成了任务。
Removal of excess heat is accomplished by means of a radiator.通过散热器完成多余热量的排出。
