How many times have you heard the question about the glass being half empty or half full? More times than I care to think about!! But let’s think a second about the validity of the question. Do you think of things in the negative or do you try to think of the positive?

I would say that I really try to think of things in a positive way. Always looking for the bright side or that silver lining. Do I always succeed? Heck no! Do I wish I could always look at the glass half full – that would be – unequivocally YES!!!

The real question is how do we look for the positive when you feel nothing but negative? When I start to feel myself go towards the dark side of the glass half empty, sometimes I make the effort to change it for the better. But let’s be honest, there are those time when I just feed that negativity until it is unmanageable. That is never a good thing.

I believe that my biggest issue when fighting the bright side vs the dark side are the outside influences around me. It is so easy to fall into someone else’s darkness and negativity. That is the most difficult situation for me because not only does that turn me towards the dark side, but I find it difficult to turn it around because the outside influence is continually feeding the darkness.

I find that I feel better when I stay on the bright side. That is where I want to stay. I am working on recognizing the negativity and stopping my fall before it happens. My new mantra – which I picked up somewhere along the way- is, not my circus, not my monkey! When I find myself falling, I close my eyes and repeat that little ditty to myself until I get back to the bright side. I find that it helps as long as I can catch it in time.

I always give the advice that if it doesn’t affect you directly, let it go. There should be no one that has enough influence on me to take me to the dark side. I should have enough strength to let things go. Especially when I know I am much happier when I am not dragging around the negativity. This is something that I work on everyday. Eventually, it won’t be so much work. At least I hope that I can get to the point where I don’t struggle with the letting go part!  It is amazing just how heavy a glass that is half empty can really be!

All I know is that when I stay focused on the bright side, I feel so much lighter and happier than when I fall into the darkness. I believe that it really effects everything in my life. My eating habits, my sleep, my health – all are so much better when I am happy and looking at the bright side!

I wish that I could find the answer to my dilemma of keeping positive.  I do believe it is an art that must be mastered.  I am hoping that eventually I will be able to master this amazing talent.  Until then I will continue with my struggle!

It’s just me and my opinion!

Have a great day!!