Half-a-Notion #1: Joyful Hope

The difference between "joyful hope" and "foolish optimism" is ______________.

The most frequent responses, in descending order, were:

• your perspective; your outlook on life.
  
• faith.
  
• attitude.
• wisdom.
  
• experience.
  

Several responses were a little longer. The difference between "joyful hope" and foolish optimism" is . . .

• in the mind of the observer.
• preparation.
  
• attitude, based on wisdom.
  
• a measure of common sense.
  
• seasoned wisdom.
  
• a measure of realism; logical thinking.
  
• responsibility and experience.
  
• whether you take a positive or negative approach.
  
• the first is faith WITH works, the second is faith WITHOUT works.
  
• "real optimism" and "real pessimism."
• one can become reality; the other everyone else knows will never happen.
• Whether the roulette wheel stops on black or red.
  

The majority of responses were unique; only one person said that the difference between "joyful hope" and "foolish optimism is. . .

• ignorance.
  
• nothing.
• blissful ignorance.
  
• almost negligible.
  
• confidence.
  
• divinity.
• character.

And we got some welcome comic relief. The difference between "joyful hope" and "foolish optimism" is. . .

• seven inches.
• sufficient sleep.
  

Amen!

Editor's note:
Exploring all the different platforms that a variety of answers can come from is one way to stimulate thinking creatively. Pick an answer you disagree with, for example. What sort of circumstance would it take to make you offer that response? Do believe your present answer will always hold? Was there a time when it was different? Why did it change? Would you want your children to live by the same belief?

Did any of the responses surprise or inspire you? Share a thought!