Who Cares about the Glass?

Pessimism vs. optimism has always been a constant issue amongst people, striving to delineate between the two and the ramifications of each. Is the glass half full or half empty? Schoolchildren are asked this seemingly silly question in an attempt to determine their way of thinking. I can remember being asked this question as a kid myself, and I thought it was so incredibly absurd. It’s a glass of water, who cares how full it is? Or empty. Whatever.

Image courtesy of Ansy Wong

Taking a slightly different approach than the fullness or emptiness of a glass, Churchill’s next quote analyzes it in a fresh way: “A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty”. The initial poetic nature of the juxtaposition of difficulty in opportunity and then the inversion of these ideas creates a stunning first impression of the quote. A further analysis of the information encapsulated in this brief quote only deepens the meaning of it.

As always, a linear and sequential analysis will serve best. First, Churchill observes that “a pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity”. At every turn, a pessimist finds difficulty. There is always a reason not to do something; there is always some obstacle that is an adequate excuse for bailing on some task or reneging on some commitment. This ideology is representative of a pessimistic philosophy – the negatives will always persist.

Looking at the second clause of the quote, Churchill contrasts the pessimistic perspective with the optimistic one: “an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty”. The philosophy is different, but the words are the same, simply inverted. Both see the same reality through different lenses, and that’s why they can use the same words in characterizing their experiences. For the optimist, there is an opportunity in every difficulty. There will be issues, there will be problems, but there is always a way to grow, develop, and learn. To be an optimist is to (clichély) look on the bright side of things. This philosophy allows for one to create a much more involved and useful life. The ability to find the opportunity, to not be stymied by the difficulty, is an invaluable skill.

In my own personal life, I am generally a pessimist and a cynic, but I have experienced both sides of Churchill’s quote. As a generally pessimistic person, I find the difficulty in certain opportunities. For example, I get so absurdly many emails from Schreyer. I see each opportunity listed in the list-servs and notifications and updates and reminders, and I immediately find a way to rationalize passing up on the opportunities. I have a lot of homework, I need to catch up on sleep, or (more candidly) Netflix is calling my name. I do however, have moments of optimism that can trump my negativity. One example of finding the opportunity in a difficulty is some of the huge time commitment that is required for pledging Alpha Kappa Psi, a business fraternity here at Penn State. The difficulty is present in the time and effort required, but the opportunities are phenomenal – professional development, social bonding, and all sorts of connections and the like.

No matter if you’re a pessimist or an optimist, think about Churchill’s words. I’m sure they apply in some way to each and every one of us. Strive to think like the optimist, even if you’re a cynically negative person like me. Turning away from opportunities because of a tendency to see difficulty deprives you of your potential. Strive to see the opportunities. Make Churchill proud.