The quote, "The optimist sees the glass as half full and the pessimist sees the glass as half empty" has generated a multitude of sermons, columns, variations and jokes. At it's core the 1/2 full, 1/2 empty debate is about a person's outlook: do they seek out positive or always find negative. Although I work hard at seeking the positive, sometimes I fail and find the negative. Beginning today, neither matters.
It's rare that a person's glass is either exactly 1/2 full and much rarer that the glass is completely full or totally empty. The overwhelming majority of our lives the glass is partially full/empty. Sometimes the glass is more than 1/2 full, sometimes more than 1/2 empty. Occasionally the glass is almost full, occasionally the glass is nearly empty. Now it's time to finish the quote: "The optimist sees the glass as half full, the pessimist sees the glass as half and empty and the realist drinks from the glass." Time to get real and drink up.
There are times (hopefully often) when the glass is half full. When the glass is half full, drink up and experience the joy that surrounds you. Don't wait for whatever may lie around the corner, today is the only today you or I have. Don't waste today's good for fear of tomorrow's bad.
There are also times (hopefully few) when the glass is half or nearly empty. During these challenging times, it's important to drink up also. Life isn't 100% the best of everything all the time. When you encounter anger, disappointment, frustration or pain it's important to engage these emotions. Talk, rant, cry, articulate or scream about how you are feeling. The bad is just as honest as the good. Own the crap and let the world know. It's probably the best way to minimize the bad and certainly the only way to move beyond the bad.
Summer is just about here. Time to gather 'round the table, raise the glass and drink up. Skoal, salute, chin-chin, l'chaim.
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