The Optimist's Bench.
Resistance. Resistance can come in more ways than one.
A show of resistance in the face of tyranny can mean everything unfavorable or damaging – anything tyranny does not want.
This includes, not only a show of resentment, but anything resembling freedom in the spirit of those tyranny is trying to oppress.
When people stand up and refuse exploitation, when individuals do not comply by taking the path of their own choosing with disregard for any contrary instructions by those proclaiming authority. When optimism remains in the face of danger, when strength refuses to yield and the fear of reprisals is gone then the oppressor is lost, and left fumbling for another make-believe reason to validate proof of its authority.
On the bench, the optimist sits (with company or alone) the optimist sits and feels good, knowing that he, or she, is blessed by the abundance of nature, and feels the power within, the power to do good in the world, the power to help those that he can, and to pass by those he cannot.
Seeing no hierarchy between people, only equality, the optimist has no natural bias – he will trust anyone until there is reason for a detraction of trust while retaining fairness to those unworthy of his trust.
Those who wish to rule over others are the optimist’s antithesis. They do not see the equality that the optimist sees, they only know that they cannot compete in a world of equals. And so instead of honest effort to do good or create value, those who cannot, or will not, compete, gain authority by deception. They need authority, the power to suppress so they can be on top as they can never rise above.
The creation of fear is one way to gain superiority, for instance: suggesting that there is a rivalry between countries, and that military precautions might be warranted, or somehow managing to install fears about a spreading disease, for which they have the cure. Propaganda is the word used to describe ways of manipulation, manipulation of the masses. Giving talking points by making up “news” that is repeated by the media: printed words of all kinds, TV, radio, and the internet.
Even in the face of tyranny, overt oppressive tyranny, the optimist remains optimistic for he knows that his optimism is pure of heart, and the shackles of tyranny can make no gains against him; in fact he knows that optimism is above all a pure resistance to tyranny.