We have been sold a flimsy, pastel-colored version of optimism. Smile more. Think happy thoughts. Pretend the smoke alarm is just background noise. That version deserves the skepticism it gets. But here is the twist most people miss: real optimism is not denial. It is not cheerfulness. It is not pretending the house is not on fire. Real optimism is a practical survival tool, and the evidence shows it helps people live longer. Not because they feel better, but because they respond differently to reality.
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