Your welcome, Megan. I hope it helped.
As for me, I’m living my life, fighting for and achieving my values, and cheering on my fellow Objectivists as they fight for their values.
I was about to cheer for Janet (oldsalt), because she deserves it and not because she needs it. She has SO MUCH realistic optimism of her own and doesn’t need additional encouragement from me.
Isn’t it interesting that Janet and I – a couple of “old-timers” – are so much more optimistic than the younger members. Maybe that’s because the teens and twenties are such a difficult time of life. There are so many big decisions to make yet so much is unknown and still to be learned. It’s a situation filled with anxiety and confusion.
All I can say to those just getting started in Objectivism and in life: Hang in there. Learn all you can about life (Objectivism is a BIG help) and about yourself and your values. Go for the things you love and throw your whole self into it. In a few years you will be on much more solid ground, secure in your abilities and your place in the world, and much more optimistic.