Half Full Or Half Empty
7/1/2018

"Half Empty or Half Full"
 According to Wikipedia ​"Is the glass half empty or half full?"​ is a common expression, a ​proverbial phrase​, generally used ​rhetorically​ to indicate that a particular situation could be a cause for ​optimism​ ​(half full) or ​pessimism​ ​(half empty). 
 To give it more clarity a person who is optimistic tends ​to take a favorable view of events or conditions and to expect the most favorable outcome. While a person who is pessimistic ​tends to see the worst aspect of things or believe that the worst will happen.
 I tend to lean be more optimistic but, there are times I dwell on being optimistic and there are times I tend to be more "​gripeimistic."
​ Now, gripeimistic will never be found in Wikipedia or any medical book for I made up the name.
 
When I am gripeimistic I do not see the glass half empty or half full but, rather see something wrong with the glass, what's inside the glass, where the glass was purchased, the person who purchased the glass, the person who put whatever inside the glass, get upset with having the same thing in the glass, get upset when putting something different into the glass, wanting whatever is inside the glass at the same level, get upset if it's too high or too low. In other words, there is just no pleasing me and the only thing I do is drain myself from working so hard on being negative. Now, don't get me wrong at times I believe we all need a "Two Minute Pity Party."  It is when I dwell on self pity I find myself becoming sad, which turns to anger and not caring who I bring down with me.
 
Not only can I be gripeamistic in my everyday life, I can bring it to my spiritual life.  I do not see the church as half empty or half full rather, I see something wrong with the church, who is at church, who isn't at church, the songs that were sung, the songs that weren't sung, sermons that were preached, the sermons that weren't preached, the lessons being taught, the lessons not taught, the outreach that is being done, the outreach that isn't being done, upset with those who don't volunteer for anything but wouldn't volunteer myself. In other words there is just no pleasing me and the only thing I do is tear down the church.
 
 
 
 
 
I don't pretend to be to be any type of medical authority on these real or made up "imitics," but I would like to offer some suggestions that have helped me.
 
1. Confined in someone I never have to say, "Now, don't repeat this." There is a fine line between griping and venting...at least that's how I'm justifying myself. Griping makes me look good by tearing everyone else down. Venting helps me puts things into perspective and is a stress relief.  Sometimes it requires pride swallowing, for by the time I'm done venting by rationalizing everything, I realize I am part of the problem and must do something to be part of the solution. But, whatever way I go I know it stops with that person. 2. Get away from whoever or whatever is pulling me down by doing something that requires being physical which I try to do outside.  Something about seeing God's nature and exhausting my body to release those endorphins feels so good. If this is not your thing dark chocolate will work. 3. Volunteer to help change whatever I'm griping about by reminding myself I am here to serve, not be served...I need to put up or shut up. 4. Give myself permission to be happy. Happiness is not a sign of weakness. 5. For every negative I must come up with two positives.
 
Luckily, for us God doesn't have to come up with a plan.  His love for us is never half empty or half full.  His glass runs over and never runs out.
 
Additional reading I Peter 5:7 Hebrews 13:8 James 3: 1-12
 
 
"Train yourself to find the blessing in everything." -author unknown
 
"Don't forget you're human.  It's okay to have a meltdown, just don't unpack and live there.  Cry it out and then refocus on where you are headed." -author unknown
 
 
©Melinda Sutherland 7/1/2018
 




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