You can be both a realist and have a totally positive attitude. As a realist I accept whatever is not directly under my control. If I can't control it I don't worry about it. It is what it is. I simply never expect the worst. I can handle it if it happens, but I feel it is unhealthy to dwell on it.

But, as you said, to each their own. While one might look at a schedule and see eight or nine games they suspect we lose I simply look at the same schedule and see every game we can win. Since I don't see any game we absolutely cannot win why not expect the best?