Day 80: Half Empty

Today we went to my friend D’s house to celebrate her birthday. As you may recall, she’s the one who insisted I join Facebook, which, by the way, I still don’t get. I figure our five year age difference (in her favor) must explain her embrace and my fear of technology. But really, it's much simpler than that. D’s just a half full kind of girl.

D cares more about the sentiment than the gift, which is a good thing since I went to the party empty-handed save for the card I left by her front door. The message? “Some say the glass is half empty, others say the glass is half full. I say who gives a rat’s ass as long as the bottle’s nearby!” Well, it’s true that we’ve shared many a glass of wine and shot of tequila, but that’s beside the point; it seemed a particularly appropriate card for D because she’s such a positive, can-do kind of person. I deepy admire her outlook on life.

Earlier this week I was reading a newspaper article about a woman facing a career crisis. She reflected, “I find myself trying things I thought I would never try…. Even if I’m feeling a little bit stressed or worried, I act like I’m having a good time. The attitude is contagious.”

I repeated those words to my son L today while we were talking about a challenging situation he’ll soon face. Since he can’t expect the other person involved to change, I suggested he try to change his attitude. He’ll have to make the best of it, and in doing so I can’t help but believe that the situation will improve. He really seemed to get what I was saying. But will he be able to act like he's having a good time?

I attend a meditation/spirituality class once a month, and during one class we were asked to choose a slip of paper from among many and read the quotation found on the back. Mine was by A.A. Milne, philosopher, psychologist and creator of Winnie the Pooh. “There is something you must always remember: You’re braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.” It’s taped right above my computer so I can see it everyday.

I read these things. I repeat these things. I, too, get them conceptually. So why do I find it so difficult to act like I'm having a good time? Why do I focus on the obstacles rather than the rewards in any given situation? Why do I think I’m a bear of very little brain? Why am I so much more like Eeyore than Tigger? Where's my bounce?!

Writing this blog is an attempt to find the bottle and fill my cup.