Half full or half empty

500 Words

Half Full or Half Empty Glass

We recently had a weekend visit from our granddaughters. At one point, there was a drinking glass on the counter. One of the girls pointed out that the glass was half empty while the other said it was half full.

Some people might say there are two viewpoints possible in this situation, but in fact there are three. The first group looks at a glass and sees it half full. The second sees the glass half empty-and the third doesn’t see the glass at all and only laments the lack of water.

How we view the glass may determine how we see our lives.

One only needs to look at the devastating events in Haiti and other places around the world to see that people react to events in different ways. The loss of life of families and friends was surely overwhelming. The personal injuries suffered by many would be enough to cause one to look at a glass half empty, if there were any glass at all.

Yet many interviewed indicated that they would pick up the pieces and move on. Was there another choice? What cruel test was Nature inflicting upon these countries, places that appeared to have so little to begin with. But for many, the glass still remained half full!

Each day we are bombarded with news and pictures of horror and tragedy. At least once a week I threaten to stop delivery of the newspaper or refuse to turn on the television news. That’s my personal attempt to lessen the onslaught of the bad and the ugly. No good here!

Is the influence of the media what has determined our view of the half full/half empty glass?

Human nature being what it is, it is not too long before I pick up the paper or turn on the television to get my daily dose of world events. Every once and awhile, tucked quietly between the stories of disaster or pain, is a story of hope and joy.

So the world is made up of optimists and the pessimists. The optimist will tell you the glass is half full.

The pessimist will tell you it is half empty. The person who doesn’t see the glass is just angry or in despair and can tell you nothing.

It is interesting that in all avenues life is made up of this check and balance. Whether it is Nature at work or the way we think, people will see things differently and that may not be a bad thing. Out of a healthy ’give and take’ may emerge something far better.

It is encouraging that despite differing views, there are times when most of us come together for a greater good. It is too bad, however, that it has to be a Katrina or a Haiti or other disaster that provides the motivation.

But the important lesson is that despite our differing views we can come together and keep an eye on the glass.