Paradise Considered
Like love or beauty, “paradise” is in the eye of the beholder. Belief in an ideal state favors those who see the proverbial “glass” as half (or more) full. Those optimists will accept elements as examples of – or contributors to – paradise: being truly at peace with oneself; a loving relationship; or walks among nature’s many splendors. One or more of these may be enough to satisfy their definition.
On the other hand, pessimists are doomed to consider paradise unachievable or nonexistent. If it ever existed, they might argue, it was lost forever with Adam and Eve’s banishment from Eden. Look at the innocence of the very young to help make their argument.
But I would counter that the very knowledge of good and evil allows us to seek the “good” in the world and within ourselves as a moral compass, guiding us in the direction of our own personal paradise.
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Pelican Pens Writers 
You spoke the truth that we are not capable of delineating the contents of Paradise because of our mind-sets. Perhaps, we should just relax and enjoy it.
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You gave me something to think about because I hadn’t considered ways a pessimist would describe paradise, as though that couldn’t happen! Thanks.
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Well done! “Paradise” IS in the eye of the beholder!
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Truly loved the visions your words painted.
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I agree the knowledge of good and evil affords us insight, and choice. But I wonder, isn’t a pessimist ‘s view his own paradise in itself? Albeit not one of lights and flowery joy.
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I think the end of your piece (“personal paradise”) sums it up. Each of us has a different definition of paradise and an opinion about whether we can or cannot achieve it.
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