Proponents of optimism and positive thinking (of which I am unabashedly an advocate, see links below on the health benefits) tell us to see the glass as half-full, not half-empty. I’m going to go further and tell you to see a FULL glass: full of water, full of life-giving oxygen! Both of which are vital to life and you’d miss desperately if you lack either. Satisfied needs tend to get ignored, often to our eventual detriment.
Yes, it is a metaphor but it is a metaphor with power and great relevancy. Some of Life’s greatest gifts are, in retrospect, unanswered prayers i.e. what we at the time we saw as “empty glass”. Furthermore, some of our greatest triumphs and greatest learning lessons come from overcoming the trials and tribulations of life; more of that empty glass. Stumbling Stone, Building Block: “There is nothing that thinking does not make it so.” (Hamlet, Act II, Scene 2). So wrap your mind around the idea that maybe, just maybe that glass is full and life does really, really turn out best for those who make the best of how life turns out.
Closing Quotes:
“If you will call your troubles experiences and remember that every experience develops some latent force within you, you will grow vigorous and happy, however adverse your circumstances may seem to be.” – John Heyward, 1497-1580
“If you realized how powerful your thoughts are, you would never think a negative thought.” – Peace Pilgrim, 1908-1981
“A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.” – Winston Churchill, 1874-1965
Health Links
Pessimism May Be Bad for Your Heart NOV. 16, 2016
Stay Optimistic, Live Longer? DEC. 7, 2016
DOCTOR AND PATIENT An ‘Up’ Outlook Can Improve Our Health JUNE 13, 2013
As always, I share what I most want/need to learn. – Nathan S. Collier