The doctrine, or belief, that everything is beautiful, including what is ugly, everything good, especially the bad, and everything right that is wrong. It is held with greatest tenacity by those most accustomed to the mischance of falling into adversity, and is most acceptably expounded with the grin that apes a smile. Being a blind faith, it is inaccessible to the light of disproof -- an intellectual disorder, yielding to no treatment but death. It is hereditary, but fortunately not contagious.

The opinion or doctrine that everything in nature, being the work of God, is ordered for the best, or that the ordering of things in the universe is such as to produce the highest good.

A habitual tendency or a present disposition to take the most hopeful view of future events, and to expect a favorable outcome even when unfavorable outcomes are possible; -- opposed to pessimism.

a general disposition to expect the best in all things

Optimism is one of the best predictors of success in a career or career change. To convert justifiable pessimism into learned and earned optimism requires career change planning and a theory of career victory. Optimists live longer, have better health than pessimists. Optimists tend to internalize good things that happen to them and externalize bad things. Optimists break formidable tasks into specific incremental elements.

An inclination to put the most favorable construction upon action s and event s or to anticipate the best possible outcome. [D03105] Webster

Optimism, the opposite of pessimism, exemplifies a lifeview where one looks upon the world as a positive place. Optimists generally believe that people and events are inherently good. They have a so-called "positive" outlook on life, believing that things will work out in the end.