While it's true that being optimistic is often setting yourself up for disappointment, it's not "just setting yourself up for disappointment". It's about keeping your imagination active about ways things could go right, instead of dwelling excessively on how they could go wrong. Being optimistic is what gives you the drive to try new things and get things done as opposed to not trying anything and sitting on your ass. Being afraid of disappointment is just setting yourself up for a crappy life.

Your statement is true most of the time; however, if you are not an optimist, then life would be pretty depressing.

When is the last time you met a happy pessimist? They are very rare. The way you feel is influenced by what you think about. So, if you think negative pessimistic thoughts all the time you're going to feel like crap. Optimists may face disappointment sometimes, but because of their optimism they can easily shrug it off and not let it get them down. When bad things happen in life you have two choices. You can mope around feeling sorry for yourself, or you can leave it in the past and move on with your life focusing on the positive things in your life. Guess which one of those options will make you a happier person?

If you are a TRUE optimist, then that means that you see the silver lining in everything. Therefore you will never be disappointed because there will be a silver lining to make it better ;)

Optimistic is not just about looking at the brighter possibilities for the future, it is also about seeing the silver linings in the present.

Well I think it is a way to cope with disappointment. They try to think positively. So I would imagine them taking every bad situation and finding positive things to think about or hold on to.

If theres one thing I cannot live without, it is hearing the complains of miserable people

Down get down on yourself, son. Push through the tough times! Never say quit! This is the American way.

In some occasions yes, but if you aren't optimistic sometimes your life will be really depressing. I'm an optimst but as well as thinking on the lighter side you have to sort of face the bad to get through the lighter side you think about helps you get through the bad.

I would say I support the notion of optimism, because sometimes when I've been so pessimistic about a good thing not happening and then it does, I can't even really enjoy it because I've spent so much time being negative. But that's just me.