While the dictionary definition is a little stuffy ("an ancient Greek school of philosophy founded at Athens by Zeno of Citium. The school taught that virtue, the highest good, is based on knowledge; the wise live in harmony with the divine Reason (also identified with Fate and Providence) that governs nature, and are indifferent to the vicissitudes of fortune and to pleasure and pain.") a more approachable view is to simply be grateful for the good things one has and appreciate them, understanding that things could always be worse. A form of optimism, if you will, but one that should be moderate.
The extreme of this was parodied by Dr. Pangloss in Candide, by the French philosopher Voltaire. No matter the horrors the good Doctor observed or the fates which befell him (war, murder, disease, pestilence, etc.) he always absurdely celebrated what he found and proclaimed the majesty and greatness of this, "the Best Of All Possible Worlds!" Voltaire's mockery of contemporary philosophers via this character was as entertaining as it was thorough.
While the dictionary definition is a little stuffy ("an ancient Greek school of philosophy founded at Athens by Zeno of Citium. The school taught that virtue, the highest good, is based on knowledge; the wise live in harmony with the divine Reason (also identified with Fate and Providence) that governs nature, and are indifferent to the vicissitudes of fortune and to pleasure and pain.") a more approachable view is to simply be grateful for the good things one has and appreciate them, understanding that things could always be worse. A form of optimism, if you will, but one that should be moderate.
The extreme of this was parodied by Dr. Pangloss in Candide, by the French philosopher Voltaire. No matter the horrors the good Doctor observed or the fates which befell him (war, murder, disease, pestilence, etc.) he always absurdely celebrated what he found and proclaimed the majesty and greatness of this, "the Best Of All Possible Worlds!" Voltaire's mockery of contemporary philosophers via this character was as entertaining as it was thorough.
Finding a balance is key.