Quite often people are defined as having a positive or negative attitude.  Some of those described as negative deny that and say they are a realist.

What is a realist?  A realist is a person who sees what is real in a situation.  They view or represent things as they really are.

Personally, I believe there is a big difference in a realist and a negative person.  The negative person tends to see everything as negative or bad.  For instance, they may see a bright sunny day as bad because they choose to spend five hours lying on the beach with no sunscreen when they have not been outside more than 20 minutes a day for six months.  The realist recognizes the beauty of the sunny day but also sees their part in creating the painful sunburn.

The positive person can also err by just thinking everything is going to be alright and not taking responsibility for their actions.

I propose to you that it is possible to be a positive realist.  In fact, that is the best way to be all the time.  It is especially important to choose to be a positive realist in the current situation we in which we find ourselves.

It would be so easy to get caught up in the pain and suffering of some people who are sick, out of work or home alone.  But let’s decide not to go there.  Yes, be aware, care, and help those you can.  Also recognize that we will get through this.  We will be able to get out and be with our friends again.  People will return to work and the world will come alive again.

Choose to find the positive in the reality of the day.  Maybe even take it a step further than being a realist with a positive attitude.  Choose to have an attitude of gratitude.  That will help you to live your life to the fullest – even in these days.