The Proverbial Half Glass of Water
We’ve all heard the tale of the glass that is filled halfway with water. The question is whether you consider it half-empty or half-full. The answer you give labels you as either a pessimist or an optimist, respectively. While I can see where that could be accurate sometimes, I think the answer really depends on how you handle stress or adversity. For example, you could be the biggest optimist on the planet, but if you were asked the half-glass question when your throat is parched, well, then you would likely think the glass half-empty, wouldn’t you? And, quite frankly, I consider it grossly unfair to be labeled a part-time pessimist just because I happen to be thirsty.
Moving away from that glass, we have several “halves” that we face throughout our lives. How we view and/or approach them can often be dependent on our current situation. For example, we just recently surpassed the halfway point of the year 2023.
Are you where you thought you would be by this time? Did you accomplish any goals in the first half of the year? Did your New Year’s resolutions last beyond the first week or two? Is 2023 half-empty or half-full for you?
We’re in the first half of the 2023 Hurricane Season and, so far, it’s been fairly quiet. This is normal since the peak of activity is typically in September, the last half of the season. Do I worry and fret, questioning if the possible lack of a major storm will fail to fill up my bank account enough to help get me through the slow season? Am I simply giving up and deciding this a half-empty storm season for me?
After I celebrated my 40th birthday….then my 45th….. 50th….. 60th…….. it has become more than obvious that unless I have a direct blood relationship with Methuselah, I am well into the last half of my life. Did I accomplish any life goals yet? Have I created a lasting legacy? Other than immediate family, will anyone remember me when I’m gone? Will my entire life only be a half life?
Right about now you’re saying, “Gee whiz, Allen…..this whole half & half deal is just depressing!” Well, if you think that, then I already know your answer to the half-glass question. But here’s where all that can change.
As I said, I think the answer is all dependent on your current situation. If that means you tend to stay down in the weeds always seeing the negative, then that cloud of depression is going to hang over you like a London fog.
Instead of looking at nothing but the negative of the situation (staring only at the half-empty glass), broaden your viewpoint. Look beyond the glass….beyond the countertop. What do you see? Heck, I see the kitchen faucet that allows me to add more water to the glass. I see rain clouds outside and a full-to-the-top 55-gallon rain barrel. I see the capability of digging a well to tap into a bazillion gallons of water.
I see 6 more months of 2023 still ahead to accomplish untold amounts of good.
I see the financial potential of just one storm and, if it doesn’t happen, then I see lots of time available to learn new ways to approach inspecting a claim and streamlining my work so when it does pick up again, I can accomplish 20%, 30%, or MORE work than I was able to do before.
I look back over my 60+ years and see so many wonderful things accomplished in my life. Will people remember me when I’m gone? Who cares?!?! What matters right here, right now, is that I remember all the people who have intersected my life.
