The Language of Optimism

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To Shakespeare's mind a bachelor lives a life that's as merry as theday is long and this expression sometimes changed slightly to as happy as the day's long has come to describe a sunny cheerful disposition. And oh how I envy them! - these optimistic types who always look on the bright side.Take the man who's just lost his job, had his car stolen and has a hugeoverdraft at the bank. Does he complain? No, not on your life. He getsa letter in the post saying he's won two whole pounds in a crosswordpuzzle competition and he announces with a wide grin on his face:"Ah,well things are looking up."

Politicians, of course, are past masters at the art of optimismespecially when they are members of the party in power. They're verygood at seeing light at the end of the tunnel when the rest of us see only unrelieved gloom.In fact, one former Prime Minister coined a phrase to remind us all howlucky we were to be under his administration. Again with thatcharacteristic smile of confidence he said: "You've never had it so good."

For the nature lovers among you here is an expression that denotescomplete satisfaction and bliss and don't forget to utter it with thebroadest of smiles: Everything inthe garden is lovely.And if ever you should be brave and strong enough to reach the summitof Mount Everest and happen to be asked how you feel, how apposite thisnext expression would be: "Oh," you'd say with a sweep of the hand, "I'm feeling on top of the world."And that particular expression must be one of the few we actually usewhen talking about ourselves for mainly we reserve these descriptionsfor use about other people. Maybe it's that Anglo-Saxon reserve at workagain. Old George, we say, is full of beans this morning as if somehow doubting why he should be so cheerful.

And come to think of it, we are rather serious-minded in these climes,always trying to find a psychological reason or other for that sunnydisposition. Perhaps it's time we had a Raise a Smile Week. Mind you,it would take a bit of doing. You'd have to keep up Shakespeare's happy as the day is longfor seven days, to start with. Yes, I can see it all now. I'd be downthere at the bus stop, keeping the crowd happy in the pouring rain andjust to prove that, I'd read that other national poet, John Milton, I'dproclaim with the true mirthful gesture: "Hence loathed Melancholy!" Well, you never know, someone might laugh.

Now while you're still in a good mood I'll remind you of the expressions we use for being cheerful or looking on the bright side. Politicians will insist that under their government the standard of living is higher than ever before: We've never, they say, had it so good . And even when trade is bad, they will see light at the end of the tunnel - they will see the possibility of a better life on the way. For general situations when life is treating you well you say: Everything in the garden is lovely and when a situation starts to improve: Things are looking up. At the precise moment when your ambitions are realised, you announce: I'm feeling on top of the world. Finally, full of beans and as happy as the day is longdescribe those who strike us as being highly contented with life. Ohand don't forget when you want to create a dramatic effect, proclaim ina loud clear voice: "Hence loathed Melancholy."

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Quote :: happy as the day is long

Sure , we'll be as long as there are good news

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Solinet wrote:

Quote :: happy as the day is long

Sure , we'll be as long as there are good news

I hope so,dear friend. cheers

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As long as you hope good news, you will experience them

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Guermoud Hadiya wrote:: As long as you hope good news, you will experience them

I hope so.Thank you Gift of Allah.

Quote :: We've never, they say, had it so good

Are you speaking of teachers? The Language of Optimism 321595

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Selmani wrote:

Quote :: We've never, they say, had it so good

Are you speaking of teachers? The Language of Optimism 321595

Politicians,sir. The Language of Optimism 263591

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Selmani wrote:

Quote :: We've never, they say, had it so good

Are you speaking of teachers? The Language of Optimism 321595

I think this expression suits teachers :

Quote :: For general situations when life is treating you well you say: Everything in "education" is lovely

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Thank you brother Boucherit for your interesting topic
In another way we can say
As long as there is hope, as long as you feel your are still alive.

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Selmani wrote:: Are you speaking of teachers?

with the current situation !

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You're welcome,brothers.