I cannot believe that the inscrutable universe turns on an axis of suffering; surely the strange beauty of the world must somewhere rest on pure joy. ~ Louise Bogan

I consider myself to be a realistic optimist. I’m aware of the realities of life and I don’t deny or downplay pain and suffering. I’ve experienced my own. But, I’m ever hopeful that the best of life may yet be ahead of me.

Without God, however; I must admit a tendency toward pessimism.