Cynicism is destructive. You look down on others and don’t notice their upside. You think or assume the worst. You consider, for example, ultra-conservatives to be too extreme, they don’t live in today’s world, they espouse their virtues and they think they’re better than us. You see the bad, and if you can’t see it you’ll invent it. Rather than view others as role models, you criticize them. Cynicism colors your view of mankind. You consider everyone basically evil and corrupt, that they aren’t truly created in the image of God. You’re too busy looking at their faults to look inward and see what your issues might be.

This attitude fails a core part of our humanity. It is imperative to see the greatness in others as well as in ourselves. Every one of us has phenomenal potential. We could change the world if we simply recognize our abilities and are willing to act upon them.