cyn·i·cal/ˈsinikəl/

Adjective:

1. Believing that people are motivated by self-interest; distrustful of human sincerity or integrity.

2. Doubtful as to whether something will happen or is worthwhile.

Versus

op·ti·mism/ˈäptəˌmizəm/

Noun:

1. Hopefulness and confidence about the future or the successful outcome of something.

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We can all be cynical.
We can even occasionally (if not always trying to be) optimistic.

I've noticed..
Between love, friendships, arguments, debates..
..it is always far easier to be "cynical" then it is "optimistic".

Why...?

If someone tells you they love you..
..instinctively, a wall goes up..
We put our troops on high alert..
Because this stranger in our "heart" is a terrorist.
He is to be marked as such, for XXX amount of time.

When we do this, we give the appearance that we are merely sitting and waiting for this "perfect stranger" to show an "imperfection" so that we can justify our own cynicism.

How is this right? How can someone clearly "accept" and "teach" this frame of thinking and deem such as not only acceptable but a must?

Granted, there are tons of b****es and a**holes out there..
..but a conjoined cynicism causes the situation(s) and interaction(s) to worsen and, in some cases, the sincere patron is the one left destroyed and, in retro, will become a cynical being him/herself.

If I tell you I hate you..

"Fine, I don't care." <-- You expected it and as such were barely harmed by it.

If I tell you I love you..

"Yeah, bull****." <-- I am showing my vulnerability, my weakness; the walls go up, you prevent love from truly ever entering and then blame love saying, "Love doesn't exist".

..why is it so hard to accept that someone loves you..
..that someone can care to that depth for you..

That the very minute they slip, which will happen (humans), your word, every action, every strand and fiber of their being that goes into showing and promoting their love for you--Means absolutely nothing anymore..

"Love".

The only emotion that is under the constant pressure to always be "perfect".

holy verbiage.
less is more, dear.
less.
is.
more.
i'm a pessimist/nihilist/misanthropist.
i refuse to explain myself because you're not worthy and it doesn't matter.
:p

I don't mean to be cynacle and chit but you remind me of my ex wife......

Now.
I know why I hesitated to read your response.

*sigh*

..meaning?

..less isn't always more..

Just for clarification.

I liked reading that. Its very true to an extent. Well written.

Brevity is the soul of wit.

As much as we would like to think we can rise above our past experiences, it is difficult. Everything that happened before us is still a part of our learning and experience.

I do my best to not fall into the pattern of thinking that the same thing will happen that has happened in the past. It's truly the only way to move forward. Remaining open and optimistic to the future and what it brings works for me.

becuz this is a negative world, sin
story of god is unbelievable, so let us believe we have no purpose
wrong place, wrong time

media only covers violence, crime, death, and leaves a two minute segment on one positive thing

its manipulated our own way of thinking without the realization it has happened. why else do most people love horror and action movies?

its far easier to be negative, becuz society is negative
if society was optimistic, we'd in turn be more positive

those that truly love another person, wont be cynical about everything, they'll have an openness, tho some may restrict it, to the other; same goes with friendships

why are we more cynical?

easy, becuz its easier, its in our comfort zones
whats better than having low expectations then having absolutely none, eh?

I try to do this. Everything that happens will always be a part of us, but that doesn't mean it should dictate our future. I feel like it takes time to move on from past experiences. A lot of it has to do with our willingness to forget, takes more time for others to feel ready again. It does happen though, people move on. And its not an easy thing but its the answer that seems to make more sense. I know I'm personally learning to move on with my life, and try not to have any regrets. For some its hard work, for me, it gets too dark and cold in there.

A truly cynical approach, lessens hope, value, worth, to whatever is being talked about. Not sure i agree that the media are only negative most of the time. I do hate how they put all this added peer pressure on society, though. I may not be a teen anymore, but i always still feel a great amount of pressure to look "perfect". I don't think peer pressure only happens with teenagers anymore. It can feel just the same in adult life. Eek. Sorry for rambling on. lol. I do wish the world would cheer up at times. Instead people just walk places insulting each other.

May be because you don't love urself...!!

Am I right?

Though unbelievable,love is knocking ya door dude,accept it.May be it is coming that way to realize what life is...

It's okay to take a breath once in a while. I'm not cynical in my relationships. If they say they love me, then I'm sure they love me. Why lie about it? For what? Secs? Money?

I feel you got recently hurt after admitting you loved someone, but you can RARELY read into the other's motives, no matter how well you think you know them. Some people may seem predictable until them do something wholly unexpected of them.

I take life and people as is......
and although I'm from Illinois.....
I take a Missouri approach to it all.....

SHOW ME!!!!!

Actions speak louder than words.
People can say whatever they like....but I watch their actions, body language.
If it don't line up with the words.....

GONE!!!!

its simple really.....
don't sweat the small stuff......and make it bigger than it is.

Ya gotta relax, go with the flow and let it grow.
If the actions line up as ya go....Ya got it made.
If the actions don't line up with the words....
Walk away.

JMO

Thank you. :)

Agreed.

But why?

Why do we, as humans, seem to be genetically produced to be cynics and very few us are born optimistic?

Is it actually all dependent on childhood? Doubtful.

My one friend had a great childhood, loving parents, a bro he got along with and respects/loves mutually.. yet..

He is one of the most cynical/pessimistic people I know.

So, what's makes us so cynical from young ages that it never seems to leave us? Especially when, found at our weakest, this runs deepest?

So, basically, you are saying that its "media" related?

I assume you mean relations outside of just TV?

Maybe schools, parents, friends, etc?

I can't see TV being the sole "villain" here.

Most Amish people, however, do often come off (mostly) as optimistic... So, perhaps there is truth in that..

*steals some*