Optimism VS Hope

We are celebrating Rosh Hashannah, the Jewish new year. In this time, we reflect upon the year behind us and the year we have ahead of us.

This has been a tumultuous year. Not simply because we moved across the world- again. But on a larger level, the world feels like it’s in a different space than it once was. A little less safe. Less secure. Less promising.

In this space of thought, during the sermon, an interesting distinction was made: should we be optimistic about the future or hopeful?

The rabbi defined optimistic as wishing for a happy ending. Whereas, she proclaimed hopeful as realizing our part in making it a happy ending.

So I leave you with this question, at the beginning of this new year: are you hopeful or optimistic about your next chapter? The decision is yours.