I read an article about a study of peoples optimism. It seems that most people tend to be too optimistic about the future - even if fact says another thing. People with a mild depression seems to have a more realistic view. For instance Shopenhauer was probably more pessimistic than what is shown by fact. But he was probably deeply depressed.
Maybe this is a trick by evolution; it is better to be too optimistic at least in short term.... Other animals are not aware of death, but we are, so the brain plays tricks so we don´t think about it too often. We live as we where immortal. We live as the planet and the nature never could be destroyed. 
If you are one of those who don't want to be fooled by the brain and evolution - you can  practise mindfulness....

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