Forming Our Youth: Optimism

Forming Our Youth:
a Marriage-Building Parish Building Block

We must form young people in the beliefs and virtues necessary for healthy relationships. > Read more about this building block

As part of the Marriage Building Parish initiative, the Catholic Family Institute, with permission from Four Court Press LTD, will feature excerpts from Mr. Isaac’s book each month in the bulletin and on this blog.



Character Building: A Guide for Parents and Teachers by David Isaacs

In his book, Mr. Isaacs explores twenty-four virtues we should develop to have more “self-mastery and better serve others,” abilities we all hope our children will have.  Recognizing that the example we set leaves a more lasting impression on our children than the words we say, each chapter includes a description of a virtue and a series of questions that help assess how well you are living that virtue and how well you are helping to develop the virtue in children/students.

The second virtue discussed is Optimism.

Optimism involves being realistic and consciously seeking the positive aspects of a situation before looking for the difficulties or looking for what can be gained by those difficulties. True optimism is motivated by self-confidence and a trust in the help of others, particularly in God’s help. The latter element is important, because confidence in and reliance solely on oneself may lead to naivety or pride.

An optimistic person:

• Is filled with inner peace.
• Always expects the best, but is willing to accept something less than perfect with good grace.
• Shows confidence in people’s potential instead of judging them merely by the facts of the situation.

Answer the following questions and discuss your reflections with a spouse/friend.

Am I Optimistic?

• Do I trust God so that, although I may find no sense in a specific event on a human level, I know that everything is for the good?
• In difficult situations, do I make an effort to discover something positive and try not to complain?
• Do I have self-confidence and make good use of the talents God has given me?

Do I Teach Others to Be Optimistic?

• Do I center my attention on what is positive in each child so that they learn to develop self-confidence?
• When objective, negative things occur – for example, an illness, a lack of loyalty in some friend, failing an exam – do I help the children look for something positive in the situation?  
• Do I teach the children to ask for the help needed to carry out their projects? (Children need to learn when to ask for help from their parents, from teachers and from their friends.  They should also get used to asking for God’s help, knowing that, in every way, everything will work out well.)

Please share your thoughts and comments.