The Optimism of Optimism

As the story goes on, Candide suffers more and more. He forcefully has to travel to Portugal where he experiences an earthquake and a near-to-death situation at the hands of an inquisitor.  He has to presence the death of his dearest philosopher, but still he does not loose his faith. Just like a good pupil, he remains loyal to Pangloss’ teachings and the whole idea of optimism. 

Every time that Candide suffers, a positive thing follows it. For example, when he escapes from the bulgars and is caught, he is going to be beheaded, but the king passes in perfect timing and forgives him. Also, after the earthquake, when he is going to be sacrificed, another earthquake saves him. Following that, a woman takes him in, feeds and cures him and reunites him with Lady Cunegonde. This got me thanking about the positive aspects of being an optimistic. In the book, it is planned like that, but it is very similar in real life.

Many people suffer disappointments, failures, bad luck, but most recover. It has to do a lot with how people face the situation. A perfect example is soccer.  A lot of things can happen in the sport but it is very important think positive. In a tournament last year we reached the finals, and it was against the team we had lost to the year before. This time we were more confident, we knew it was going to be a hard game but we were ready. As the first half ended the game was tied at nil. Entering the second half, we had a penalty ruled in favor and I was the one responsible for taking. The anxiety and nerves won the best of me and I failed, kicking to the right side of the pole. It was like the world had fallen on top of me, but the words of a team mate inspired me and in the next 10 minutes we were winning one nil. With only one minute left the other team scored. It was devastating! We suffered, we left everything on the field, and a late equalizer was ruining everything. This was the worst moment of the tournament, but we deserved it and I knew we were going to win, and 4 penalty kicks after we were champions.  Not even once did I think of giving up. For the whole duration of the tournament and final, I had faith in the team and myself, and even though we had to suffer, our positive energy and effort paid of.

Candide has that kind of thinking. He believes that everything happens for a reason, and in the end he was like a reward. He may not have a goal in mind, like we did in the tournament, but the was he faces life, makes the obstacles of it smoother.