I basically have a very positive philosophy of life, because I

Hear the words of Hal Ashby, visionary of film and poet of the moving image, who once declared: “I basically have a very positive philosophy of life, because I don't feel I have anything to lose. Most things are going to turn out okay.” In this humble yet profound statement lies the wisdom of detachment and faith, a recognition that fear of loss enslaves the soul, while freedom from fear allows one to walk boldly in hope. It is the voice of one who has gazed upon life’s storms and decided not to tremble, but to trust.

The meaning of his words is clear: a positive philosophy of life does not come from ignoring hardship, but from refusing to let hardship define the future. To believe that “most things are going to turn out okay” is not naïveté, but strength—a conscious choice to trust the unfolding of life rather than cower before it. When a person no longer clings desperately to possessions, status, or even reputation, they stand unshaken. They see life as an open field, not a narrow cage, and from such vision comes courage, creativity, and resilience.

History gives us a vivid example in the life of Marcus Aurelius, the philosopher-emperor of Rome. Surrounded by war, plague, and betrayal, he could have yielded to despair. Yet in his Meditations, he spoke calmly of the order of the universe, of the fleeting nature of suffering, and of the power of perspective. Like Ashby, he believed that though life offers countless trials, most things will find their balance in the end. His reign stands as a testament that positivity rooted in detachment can govern even amidst chaos.

The origin of Ashby’s words comes from his own journey through Hollywood, a world of both triumph and turbulence. As a filmmaker, he knew rejection, conflict, and the fickleness of fame. Yet his movies often reflected an undercurrent of optimism, a belief in human decency, and the possibility of healing. His personal philosophy, forged in the fires of struggle, was simple yet radical: if you believe you have nothing to lose, then every moment is a gift, every risk is worth taking, and every setback is but a chapter, not the whole story.

But let us also see the heroic challenge in his words. To live with the sense of having nothing to lose is to live unburdened by fear, but it also calls for responsibility. One must not fall into recklessness or indifference, but into courage and generosity. If you truly believe most things will turn out well, then you are freed not to hoard, but to give; not to despair, but to create. Ashby’s philosophy becomes not only personal comfort but a call to action: to live fully, without hesitation, and with faith in the goodness of life.

The lesson for us is profound: let go of fear. Do not cling so tightly to what you might lose that you fail to see what you already have. Remember that most of life’s storms pass, and that even wounds can lead to wisdom. Train your heart to look for what is positive, even when shadows fall, and you will find strength where others see only weakness. Cultivate gratitude, practice detachment, and step boldly into challenges, for you have less to lose than you imagine—and far more to gain than you dare to dream.

So I say unto you: heed the wisdom of Hal Ashby. Adopt a positive philosophy of life. Walk lightly upon the earth, unafraid of loss, unburdened by fear. Believe that most things will turn out well, not because life is perfect, but because the human spirit, when aligned with hope, has the power to transform trials into triumphs. Live this way, and your life will not be caged by fear, but lifted by courage, generosity, and faith in the quiet goodness that runs beneath the flow of time.