I’ve become very pessimistic lately; and to be honest, I kind of like it. I don’t enjoy chronic optimists always having an uplifting quote to try to turn my frown upside down. So what it takes more muscles to frown than smile– turns out I work out all the time. I think everyone should have at least a sprinkle of pessimism in their life. No matter how much we wish and pray for rainbows, butterflies, smooth sailing and happy endings, life consistently spins us out of control—so why not start to expect the worst? Avery Anna captures the essence of the difficulties of life in her album, named after her headline song, “Breakup Over Breakfast.” The album outlines how good intentions aren’t always enough to make life go the way you want it. There’s a gap between expectations and reality— intentions and impact. Breakups aren’t always ideal but sometimes necessary. Her epitome breakup would be ‘cool, calm, and collected’ over a nice breakfast— because in reality, breakups, and life in general, are more like ‘messy dinner disasters’.
I’m not writing this article to tell you to expect disappointment so you’ll never be disappointed— although part of me wants to believe that would be the best option. A lot of the disappointment I face in life is because I lack control over many situations. I’m beginning to think that’s ok— actually, I think that’s a great thing. Imagine a life where everyone has a hand in manipulating the future. Consequently, because of our pride problem, we’d also be attempting to control each other too. We wouldn’t intend on hurting others, but we unreservedly would. If you’re already feeling pressure being a college student, just trying to pass your classes and figure out life, imagine the true weight of your entire life, and undoubtedly others’ lives on your shoulders. The excessive power you’d hold would be too great to handle on your own. And that’s just it: if we were in control, we’d be all on our own. You heard me right Raider family— no community. If we had a remote or a control panel for the course of our lives, we’d get so trigger happy that we’d drive others away so we can get what we want. My guess is that we’d develop into a world of self-reliant snobs.
Now that I’ve bogged you down with my depressing thoughts on the very little hand that we have in the grand scheme of our futures, let me turn the tables and leave you on a more positive note— just because a sprinkle of optimism is okay too. So I’ll say this: instead of being bitter that I don’t have that power over whether I get lemons or lollipops thrown at me, a little piece of perspective can cultivate a heart of gratitude that I’m not in control, and I’m so very thankful that you aren’t either;). Just because I’m a pessimist, doesn’t mean I don’t have the joy of the Lord, or that I fully believe that we’re all going to hell in a handbasket. But what I do see, is that my pessimistic view on life gives me an opportunity to see the great need for the Lord that our world has. It further supports the idea that this is not how our world was meant to be, and we’re in need of a savior to restore what’s been broken. Until we’re reconciled with the Father, we may not get the chance to have a ‘cool, calm, and collected’ breakup over breakfast. Instead, in the midst of this chaotic world we live in, we’re invited to bring our brokenness to God, and receive healing and peace when we take a seat at his table.
