For many people, it’s become all too easy to be cynical these days, and no wonder. The news cycle is filled with negativity, and the social media posts that generate the most attention are often those depicting the worst of humanity. While it may feel more prudent to adopt what some call “healthy cynicism,” in the long run, it’s not a good strategy for life.
Cynicism is a sense of overarching distrust and doubt that, if not kept in check, can color every aspect of life. Constantly expecting the worst in people and situations can lead to feelings of bitterness, resentment, and isolation. If you go through life guarded and distrustful of others and doubtful of positive outcomes, you’re likely to close yourself off from healthy relationships and opportunities for growth.
Though we have access to more information and opportunity than ever before, it is difficult to know who can be trusted and what underlying motives exist within individuals, as well as the organizations and systems that a functioning society should be able to rely on. Of course, it’s necessary to be aware, exercise discernment, and question things in order to make informed decisions, but when questioning devolves into assuming the worst in most circumstances, one can easily become trapped in a negative mindset that acts as a self-fulfilling prophecy.
When one becomes too cynical, one operates from a negative frame of mind—believing that all motives are probably selfish and that outcomes will most likely be disappointing. Fundamentally, a cynic believes the worst in people and life in general, and looks for, whether consciously or unconsciously, proof to validate their notions.
As the Bible says, “Seek, and ye shall find.” When you point your focus in a fixed direction or look for particular evidence of your point of view, you’re sure to find it. This is true from both a positive standpoint (if you look for the good you’ll find it) and a negative one.
You might ask, “Why would anyone choose to be cynical?” It seems that cynicism is born of fear and a desire to get ahead of and thus protect oneself from disappointment or suffering. After all, if you’re never surprised when your skepticism is proven to be well-founded, you won’t be disappointed and may even be glad to have been “right.”
The problem with adopting a cynical starting point is that you close yourself off to faith, belief, trust, and hope. It is very difficult to recognize goodness in the world when you’re walking through it as a cynic. When you’re stuck in cynicism, you’re likely to miss out on opportunities for growth and positive experiences. By always assuming the worst, cynics fail to see potential for growth or opportunities to improve. A cynic may be less inclined to take risks or try new things, ultimately limiting their potential in life.
Living life with a cynical viewpoint is a choice and a habit that one can break free from. Rather than choosing to see the world through a lens of skepticism and disbelief, one can turn the ship around by looking for the good. If you feel like you’ve become a bit too cynical of late, take up the practice of noticing beauty around you, appreciating the positive qualities of those you know and love, seeking out the good in the world, and setting down your fear. Don’t allow cynicism to cause you to miss out on the beauty, wonder, and joy that life has to offer and the enlightenment that divine faith can bring. It’s OK to question things and stay informed, but to get the most out of life, let go of cynicism.
