I believe it is a will to ignore the facts in order to live in a dream state that lets you forget about reality for a while. For instance, compulsive gamblers are happy to forget momentarily that they are spending money they don't have in order to dream, even for a while, about a better life. They know the odds are against them, that statistically speaking, they will go home empty handed to a broken family life. and yet, they hang on desperately to the "what if".
"What if" there is a paradise earth where I will live forever in perfect health? Sure, all the odds are against me, several things don't make sense and don't add up, but "What if"?
Just like a gambler rubbing a rabbit paw or kissing the dices, if I have no doubt that it will happen, it will happen. I just need to believe!