“Being IRISH, he had an abiding sense of tragedy, which sustained him through temporary periods of joy.” ~ W.B. Yeats
My paternal grandmother was Irish, and when it came time for my DNA to be sorted out I seemed to only get her genes. My dad had quite a few of them as well, and my sister bought him a plaque with the above quote from Irish poet W.B. Yeats as a joke.
He couldn't deny that there was a great deal of truth in the sentiment, and I feel the same way when it comes to my own demeanor. I definitely tend towards the melancholy. When I read the quote, I know there is a great deal of Irish blood in my veins. I don't think I will ever be able to consider myself an optimist.
Earlier this year my family and I were on a roll when it came to good news. Lots of good things happened for me both personally and professionally. I mentioned to my mom that I was happy about all of it but I also felt like it was inevitable that it would all end and everything would go to hell soon enough. She laughed and said "Well don't you sound just like that quote on your father's plaque?"
I laughed and couldn't deny it. What can I say? It's in my genes.
Do you consider yourself an optimist or a pessimist? Or somewhere in between? That's the point I hope I can get to.
