Optimism: The tendency to take the most hopeful view of matters or to expect the best outcome in any circumstance; practice of looking on the bright side of things.
The first few days after an election are usually marked by an incredible surge of pessimism in the folks on the losing end of any campaign. It's like Dawn of the Dead for politicos. People who normally behave pretty well rise from their graves, all glassy eyed and dyspeptic, dripping blood and brains, and start predicting gloom and doom. They dissect every comment. They analyze every phrase. They look for the Downside.
When I first walked into The Rooms I was sure that this wasn't going to work for me. Nobody could say anything to change my mind. I argued about everything. I debunked every possibility. I didn't listen to anything anyone said because my mind was fully engaged preparing my defense. I was terrified of change. I was sitting in my own poop but didn't think much of the suggestion that I get up and move. The poop might be deeper somewhere else, and stinkier.
Most of us find, of course, that we aren't very good at predicting the future. It's not part of our skill set. We find that things work out well in the long run as long as we try to do the next right thing. Sometimes we get unexpectedly good results. Sometimes we get what we want and wish that we hadn't.
Be careful what you pray for.
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