“When asked if my cup is half-full or half empty,
my only response is that I am thankful that I have a cup”
~ Anonymous
Each day, I journal my thoughts and adventures. It allows me to share my successes and vent my frustrations. I try hard like hell not to have too many frustrations and view each of them with a certain perspective.
The Latin root for perspective is “look through” or “perceive”. That said, I look at each hiccup that comes my way with an open mind, choosing how I will respond to it and making sure it doesn’t effect me long term. Mind you, it is easier said than done.
I have met some amazing people that implement this essential life skill everyday. One person that comes to mind was my Great Aunt by marriage, Aunt Albertine. I knew her for 15 years, but had the honor and privilege to get to know even more these last 8 months before passing just weeks ago at the age of 102.
Every visit, Aunt Albertine would say, “It’s a wonderful day”. Even as her eye sight and body began to fail with old age, she always said it could be worse. She explained that she had been blessed and lived a wonderful and full life. She never had a complaint, never said an ill word about anyone, always saw the light in each person that she knew and said thank you to those taking time out of their busy schedules to visit or take care of her.
Auntie’s perspective and optimism reminded me that I needed to continue to take every hiccup in my schedule or negative interaction with people, places or things as a significant learning experience and turn that poo into something that I am grateful for.
Thank you Aunt Albertine for leaving a legacy of empathy, compassion, kindness and laughter but most importantly, reminding me, your family and friends that life is too short to waste their time on negative thoughts or uncomfortable situations but to put them in perspective. Learn from them, be grateful for them and make that choice to either rise up to make it better or worse.
Until next time, peace be with you.