Being optimistic vs. being positive?

Is it important to understand the difference?

I think it is and let me tell you why. According to the dictionary being positive is that seeing everything as favorable or encouraging. While according to the same dictionary being optimistic is hopeful and confident about the future.

Is there a difference?

Of course there is! When a person is being positive it appears to me that life is going great for them as everything is favorable in the present. They are thinking that things will continue in a positive way. But tell me, what happens when things start to go down-hill?

Being optimistic is hopeful and confident in the future. To me it is having the understanding that things can be difficult but there is always a way of turning those challenges into a great future. To me optimism is looking at life knowing that challenges will come up but having the internal make-up and resilience to take on the problems and overcome them with solutions.

Some of you reading this will not agree with me. I understand because when ever we get into questions about semantics or words it is the definition of the word for that person that makes all the difference to the discussion.

My concluding question is about when the next challenge or problem comes into your life. Are you going to realize that life happens and it will be up to you to improve the situation by being more optimistic?