Optimism and Despair

Some time ago some people did a study and decided that people who were mildly depressed had a better grip on their circumstances and chances than those who were optimistic.

Note two things there, the first being MILDLY depressed and the second being THEIR chances and circumstances. I.e. when you are evaluating your own life, you are, arguably, in possession of more facts than people looking in from the outside. You know your spouse, children, whoever is around your immediate surroundings, and...