There are people who choose to see the good in everything. Then there are others who choose to spot that one, rare and very slightly ugly angle of the most perfect beauty in the world. It’s not an ability, it’s a choice.

They’re not two different types of people; they’re just people who choose to be one or the other every second of every waking hour and they do it ever so often that it becomes them.

When you pass by a really poor neighborhood, you can either look at the garbage, or you can look at the beauty of old buildings and the charm of children’s smiles. When you pass by the countryside, you can see that cow taking a dump and be grossed out, or you can look at just how beautiful her eyes are and take in the greenery. When you see dirty streets, you can look at the pollution or you can be thankful for the sunshine; no rain to wash out the first means we can be tanned all year long! When you’re stuck in traffic jams, you can curse your unlucky stars, or you can find it an opportunity to listen to your favorite playlist and enjoy the forced quality time with yourself. When your trip to Vegas gets cancelled, consider it a break from the universe to chill back and do something more relaxing that you might be more in need of. When you get a little cold, instead of constantly complaining about it, look at just how awesome all your family and friends are for pampering you with a bowl of soup or your favorite chocolate.

I really doubt happiness is achieved through those grand, rare but marvelous moments. That magical, lifetime trip only happens once in every long while. That grand gesture only happens once in a lifetime. I believe happiness is achieved through the little joys of daily life. A child’s smile, a good morning kiss from the person you love, quality time with your mom, a good laugh with a friend or even a hearty meal on a cold night. If we learn to appreciate those little things and train yourself to see the good side of everything ugly, I reckon we will be far happier creatures.

If you’re able to see the good in everyone, even those who’ve done you harm, it allows you to forgive, forget, move on and rise above it all. If you’re able to see the bright side, you’ll be able to be compassionate and remember the good things someone has done for you before getting worked up over a mishap. It’s that silver lining in every dark situation that allows you the strength and serenity to keep going.

That doesn’t mean we should turn a blind eye to the badness out there, not in the least bit. We should just try to see the good as much as we’re able to see the bad.

It’s a choice we make every second of the day. You don’t always succeed in making it; I often dwell in my sorrows and all the ugliness. But I try. I don’t always reap the benefits of optimism too; it’s often seen as naivety and a chance to be taken advantage of. But I try. I often miss glaringly clear warning signs because I am busy looking at this one tiny, slightly okay quality about a person or a situation. But I try.

It’s not an easy choice nowadays in Egypt, what with people being killed and arrested left and right, and it takes a lot of strength and determination that I don’t claim I personally have. But I will keep trying.

And to all the optimists out there who manage to find the goodness in everything; don’t let anyone bring you down telling you to get out of your bubble and get real. If anything, you should be taking us all along into your optimistic bubble, we need it!