Inside every cynical person, there is a disappointed idealist. ~George Carlin

I heard this quote the other day, and I'd be lying if I said I skimmed over it and then came back to it later in a miraculous epiphany.

It struck me right away, in part because I've never heard anything like it before, but also because it makes a lot of sense.

To preface my analysis, I want to mention that I cannot claim to have experienced any life-altering circumstance that entitles me to address this quote any more than the next person. Perhaps, my interpretation is no more informed than any other. Yet at times, I sympathize with the cynics and pessimists, the ponderers and the worriers. I am one and all of these people, and so I simply wanted to contribute my two cents.

George Carlin, I just learned, was a stand-up comedian and a social critic. He passed away in 2008.

Now I don't know much about stand-up comedy, but I will say from what I've seen--despite the incredibly inappropriate, sometimes dehumanizing remarks--there is often an element of truth in what these critical thinkers have to say.

So what is a cynical person? Welp, in one instance, it's me and my friends declaring that we will be forever alone, as we eat pizza and ice cream and watch rom-coms on our couch at 3 in the morning. It's our banter-- the "How many cats are we going to own?" and "Can I move in with you and sleep on your couch?"

It's the, "Let's not go, it's going to rain," person.

It's the, "I'm literally going to fail this test, and the paper, and I don't understand anything that's going on."

It's the, "I totally suck."

It's the, "I can't figure out this problem."

It's the, "He'll never like me in that way."

It's the, "I'm never going to pass this test, survive college, or live in a cute house with a porch and blue shutters, or have a dog that likes to cuddle with me, or go to fun parties, or explore other countries, or get into graduate school, or learn how to cook really well, or exercise a lot and become super fit."

Disclaimer, I have cried about these things a few times, but usually when I think of them, I'm not necessarily upset, because in my head, I figure, "Yeah, there's not a whole lot I can do about that right now."

And so I let the thoughts settle and I move on.

Is that a pessimistic person?

Okay. Truth is, it doesn't matter. Because regardless of how cynical or pessimistic or negative or small you may feel, you do want the best. You will be disappointed if something doesn't work out the way you want. And this happens to all of us sometimes. In little and big ways, pretty much every day of our lives.

But the key is that you have a glimmer of optimism inside you. I believe that's true. You want things to work out, and by simply pushing forward each day, even if all you do is breathe and sleep, you prove to the world that despite bantering to your friends, you still have the slightest hope--perhaps, even call it an expectation--that things will go right. That things will go better. That you will get the job you want and live in a cute apartment in a nice neighborhood of a city, and you won't have to buy twelve cats and live on your friend's couch.

In the words of my friend Gaby, "Our expectations are low-key high."

So, instead of considering yourself a pessimist, think of yourself as an optimist with an umbrella tucked away in your backpack.

Consider the glass partially full even if it's mostly filled with air.

Because good things happen and bad things happen. And I, at least, believe that we can be pessimistic and optimistic at the same time.

So aim high in your life and think good thoughts. You have time plenty of time to do plenty of things, regardless of how it seems or what society is telling you.

I sincerely hope you get what you are looking for. We're in it together.