a) What is optimism?
Optimism is the attitude that good will always win over evil, that in the world there is a greater amount of good than of evil, and that the world is really good.
Our optimism comes from our faith and hope in God: that he is allgood and all-powerful, and that with him on our side, nothing can harm us. God made everything, therefore all that we have in this world is good, as long as we use them according to the will of God. Suffering and difficulties may come about only because of our limited human nature, or when we sin God and love ourselves more than him, but never because God created or desires them for us.
b) Why should Altar Servers live with optimism?
Optimism makes us more peaceful and confident in daily life. We face our ordinary duties and even difficulties knowing that for those who serve God, all things work together unto good.
Optimism brings us courage to desire and try our best to do good in little and big ways, since we know that God will always help us. We do not mind if sometimes we fail, for we learn much from our mistakes; when we rise up again, we can do even more.