Optimists aren't as naive as you think

I am naturally an optimist.  I love the movie Pollyanna!   But she like other optimists haven't been given a chance.  They are written off as naive, not able to see the "truth" or what is "realistic", or that they choose to avoid bad things - blinders on.  As I grew up I ran into this a lot, so of course in true "I'm not stupid" fashion I tried to hide my optimism and even really lost it for a while.  But on this journey I am constantly brought back to who I am.
I was reminded of all this again the other day when I read this article and this quote was my favorite part.
"4. Actually, optimists have it right.
Every so often there's a spate of writing about the power of "negative thinking" and how optimists have it all wrong. Why do they think optimists deny pain and misery? That's not optimism at all!
Optimism is the ability to suffer, but to continue to tell good stories that propel us forward. Failure and suffering can be important parts of growth and evolution — with one major caveat: You can't remain in the suffering. You have to move through it. Success, it's been said, consists of getting up just one more time than you fall." --Amanda Enayati  (full article:
 http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-17728/why-stress-can-be-your-superpower-other-truths-about-anxiety.html)
This was such a great statement and it's so very true!  Why else would we love super heros so much!  Contrast is there for us to learn, to grow, to then after the time of suffering come back to our positive energy and be more confirmed in it.  The problem with negative thinking or even REALISTIC thinking is exactly what Pollyanna tells the Reverend via Abraham Lincoln's quote:  "If you look for the bad in people, you will surely find it."  Not just people but in everything.  Self fulfilling prophesy is very strong in the universe.  If you seek proof for negative things you will find it, see it, be surrounded by it.  You are vibrating that energy, so stop!  Look for the good...you will surely find it!  And it will be in you!