idealism vs. naïveté

It surprises me and warms my heart to find that idealism is alive and well. In the routine hustle and bustle of life, it seems like everyone is self-absorbed, marching to the same capitalist tune, and no one cares. But recently I've found idealism serendipitously, in the unlikeliest of shapes and forms.

Dutch boy, who is pained by the state the world is in, and deeply wants to make a difference in Africa. My housemate who is still patriotic, and feels strongly about changing her country and improving the life of her people.

Speaking to Dutch boy, I told him his idealism reminded me of myself when I was younger. And he asked me: "So do you think I'm naïve?"

I was shocked and surprised. A few thoughts occured to me simultaneously:
—to think he was naïve meant that you had lost faith and had a fundamentally pessimistic view of the world
—I was shocked that he could think that I thought he was naïve (how could anyone think he was naïve?)
—it had never occured to me that (his or any other) idealism was naïve
—I was quite surprised that it had never occured to me that being idealistic was naïve

But truly and honestly, it never occured to me to dismiss idealism as naïveté. I have always found idealism admirable, if tiring, unrewarding, and energy-sapping—hence all the more admirable. Up to about a year ago, I used to end all my prayers (cornily enough) for a wish for world peace, before I decided to be less ambitious and cut God's work down to something more manageable.

My housemate exclaimed today: "But that's because you're secretly still an idealist!"

Undercover idealist, that's what I am.