Hey, Sue B: Just a couple of responses. First of all, I'm not a believer in labels, because they oversimplify things. Optomists can be realists, and they aren't necessarily smug. Pessimists may still try to lead a very positive life (if not an optomistic one.) In a way, I esepcially respect people who perceive life as threatening and dangerous, and yet try to live life as positively as they can.

As for "telling it like it is" I like one of my son's comments on that. He says that when someone says they "tell it like it is," he makes for the nearest door, because people who say that are almost invariably critical and judgmental. How often do you hear someone say, "I tell it like it is", followed by a compliment? I usually find that people who "tell it like it is" don't care whether you're hurt by their comments. They also confuse (as we all do) what they think with what "is." It'd be fairer to say, I tell it the way I see it."

One of my favorite definitions of honesty and love is:

Love without honesty is sentimentality
Honesty without love is cruelty

As for telling people the good that you do, if your motive for doing "good" is for building up your own reputation, then your acts are selfish, not generous.

This is a good discussion. Thanks for your comments.

Jerry