Some say I'm cynical and jaded. I say if you aren't cynical and jaded by time you reach 30 you obviously haven't been paying attention.

Cynical and jaded isn't a fault.  It's the rational conclusion.

It's a necessary step on the journey.   You pass awe and innocence and start using your vast intellect to figure it all out and when you cannot, you get into a spiritual snit.

I call it celebrating your disappointment.  Then, if you are objective and wise, you move past the argument that we have nothing to live for and nothing means anything, and start to SEE that maybe your puny intellect is not the lens from which you should be observing and rather, observe those who took a different path and study why.

I would call it a byproduct rather than a conclusion, I don't go out of my way to do it, it just happens. But yeah, there's that.

I must not have been paying attention?  I am 52 and remain an optimist, I still believe that essentially people are good.

Well, I guess that would depend on your individual perspective. Some seem to gravitate towards negativity and some towards the opposite end of the spectrum .. and there are some that fall under the catagory of 'somewhere in between' .. I think there is such a thing as a healthy balance. Some cynicism and some supportive, uplifting and optimistic .. much depends on the individualistic nature of a situation. This post was edited by bikergirl40 at January 15, 2017 10:33 PM MST