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Do you see the glass as half empty or half full?

As much as I hate to admit it, I normally see the glass as half empty. The same occurs when I notice that my cell phone battery is at 50%. My first impulse is to reach for the water pitcher or charger.

I'm usually one to harp on the negative rather than dwell on the positive. I realize it's something I have to work on a bit. However, my sometimes-pessimistic-nature helps me be a lot more perceptive than most people around me.

By thinking of the worst possible scenario -- and taking proactive steps to avoid it -- I've kept myself out of trouble. My friends sometimes chide me for being a creature of habit -- one who seldom leaves the comfortable confines of his comfort zone.

But I've come to accept and like this about myself. Not everyone is meant to be a spontaneous, happy-go-lucky wanderer. I think people who remain grounded and weigh their options carefully can live a happier life. They're less likely to make hasty, regrettable decisions.

My friends know I'll never be the life of the party, yet I'm still their go-to person for advice -- whether it concerns relationships, education, career, or personal finance. The world can be a cruel, dangerous place in which to live. That's why I feel it never hurts to be extra vigilant and proactive. One of my favorite cinema lines comes from the movie "Under Siege 2: Dark Territory," starring Steven Seagal: "Chance favors the prepared mind."

It's important we balance fun with sobriety. We should take life neither too seriously nor too loosely. Striking that perfect balance isn't always easy to achieve, but is possible nonetheless.

Do you see the glass as half empty or half full? Do you think being very careful in life pays off?


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Anonymous said…
It depends on my mood of each day. How much pain I'm in and how limited my movement is for the day. I prefer saying that the glass is half-full because I'm trying to be more optimistic the older I get. Life is too short and too sweet to be any other way..
March 16, 2015 at 10:21 PM
Lynn said…
Absolutely! I'm a perfectionist. I always give everything I write and draw and sing a full 110%. I take after my grandmother artistically. She always put lots of pressure on me to get everything right the first time. That's not always the case. I sometimes write tons of different versions of the same song. I draw tons of different versions of the same drawing. I make tons of different variations of the same piece of jewelry. I'm a compulsive proofreader. To the point I erase through paper. I take everything very seriously. And everyone very seriously. Including myself. I spend hours in front of the mirror. Hours in the shower. Hours picking out my clothes. Hours doing my hair and makeup. My grandmother always put tons of pressure on me to always be my best. She got mad at me at the drop of a hat but I still respected her. She wanted what was best for me. My family asks me why and I always have and always will say the same thing "Because grandma did. Grandma taught me that and that I should respect my elders. Grandma taught me to always be my best. Grandma always wanted what was best for me. That's why I'm a perfectionist Is that bad?"
May 6, 2015 at 9:47 PM
Jeff Martinez, Writer & Proud Introvert said…
Of course it's not bad, Lynn. I'm the same way, especially when it comes to writing, editing, and proofreading. I do take life very seriously sometimes. I don't spend hours in front of the mirror or in the shower, but I am definitely a perfectionist. I love doing things correctly and to the best of my ability.
May 22, 2015 at 7:22 PM
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