Little by little
the container is filled
When the skies are brighter canary yellow
I forget ev'ry cloud I've ever seen,
So they called me a cockeyed optimist
Immature and incurably green.

~ Rogers & Hmmerstein From South Pacific
I’m a Cockeyed Optimist copyright 2002 By Pat Edmondson


Why did song writers Rogers and Hammerstein write a silly song
about a “Cockeyed Optimist”?   Why does Charlie Brown continue to
try to kick the football when he knows Lucy will pull it away? Why
does he continue to believe in Lucy?  Why does he give her a 2nd
chance over and over again? Why…because Charlie Brown like me,
is a positive thinker, a cockeyed optimist.  

Webster’s defines Optimism as “the opinion or doctrine that everything is for the
best; tendency to take the most hopeful view”

In 2002 I was diagnosed with a brain tumor and have had major surgery to
remove it.  Fortunately it wasn’t cancerous, but it was the type of tumor that
would continue to grow,
so I had to go through six weeks of radiation treatment to kill what was left of the
tumor.  
I ’m not telling you this to make you feel sorry for me, just the opposite, to let you
know I’m optimistic about my future and have HOPE that I will make it through
and overcome.  
I’ve even had friends and family comment on how well I handled all of this and
how I’m not letting this get me down.  

I listened to their words and started thinking about my personality.  
I can honestly say I’m an optimistic person, a positive thinker.

Do I have a wonderful life?  NO but
I do have HOPE that this will turn out all right, I do have a positive attitude that I
will make it through these radiation treatments with no ill side affects or
setbacks.  I am optimistic about my future.

How you may ask?  I have to say I haven’t always been this way.  
I used to look
at circumstances and let them determine my attitude or how I felt.

I’ve struggled with depression in the past because I felt hopeless about life, my
situations or circumstances.

One thing I started doing was helping other people who are a lot
worse off then me.
 When I look at the suffering of others, I realize I
didn’t really have anything to complain about!  I have learned to be
grateful for the life I do have.  No it is not perfect, but it’s not too bad
either.
 I have my health, my children, a home with indoor plumbing that works
most of the time, a deluxe washer and dryer and a refrigerator that runs and has
food in it except the day before grocery day!

However, the most important thing that has changed my perspective has been
my relation with MY God.  
I’ve always had faith in God, but because of what
I’ve been through my relation with God has grown.  I’ve learned that DAILY I must
put my trust and hope in HIM.  

Psalm 62:5 says, “Find rest, Oh my soul, in God alone; my hope
comes from him.  He alone is my Rock and Salvation…”

When I hear “ My ROCK” I think of a large stone that has been buried in the
ground for years.  
What a strong word picture, it’s unbreakable, steady,
grounded, always there,
and I can find rest in its cool shade on a hot day.
With God has my Rock, having the tumor hasn’t stopped me.  Just like Lucy’s
tricks haven’t stopped Charlie Brown, even though…Lucy’s past performance
and circumstances tell him to not let her hold that ball and not try to kick it.  

Charlie Brown still has hope, he still, against all odds, charges at that
football with all his might.  He still keeps going…keeps trying…
keeps striving for what he wants.

I think Mitzy Gaynor sang it best in the song “This Thing called Hope” from the
musical South Pacific:

I’m just a cockeyed optimist and I’m stuck like a dope with this thing
called Hope and I can’t get it out of my Heart…no I can’t get it out of
my Heart.

For your further enjoyment
here are the lyrics to A Cockeyed Optimist !


Nellie:
When the skies are brighter canary yellow
I forget ev'ry cloud I've ever seen,
So they called me a cockeyed optimist
Immature and incurably green.

I have heard people rant and rave and bellow
That we're done and we might as well be dead,
But I'm only a cockeyed optimist
And I can't get it into my head.

I hear the human race
Is fallin' on its face
And hasn't very far to go,
But ev'ry whippoorwill
Is sellin' me a bill,
And tellin' me it just ain't so.

I could say life is just a bowl of Jello
And appear more intelligent and smart,
But I'm stuck like a dope
With a thing called hope,
And I can't get it out of my heart!
Not this heart...
Pat Edmondson faith inspirational faith writings positive inspire
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INSPIRE
by Pat Edmondson
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