While watching people in my life I have noticed them struggle. Everyone’s journey is so different and the hurdles are so self-defined. What challenges some is not so challenging for others. I guess that is what makes each of us so unique. Some of us are thinkers, analyzers while other are simply doers. You know those people who seem to struggle with everything. They are the ones who can never seem to take the leap of faith and make it happen. These folks are almost paralyzed. You know them as the “nay” sayers who can find 10,000 reasons why not to do something. They often call themselves the glass is half-full people. They like the role of the devil’s advocate in the playbook of life.
Then there are the people who simply cut through life and seem to push through to the other side. They are the optimistic ones who are positive about anything. They are always forward thinking, believing that everything is possible. They like are the glass is half-full people in life.
We debate this theory throughout our entire life.
While this argument goes on, we should think how can we fill the glass right to the top. We should fill it so full that it spills all over us, the table and on the floor. I say fill up every glass in the house. Spill it out and refill it over and over. Find new beverages to fill the glass. Experiment with different colors and tastes. Create a quest to find the perfect fullness.
While I was listening to an amazing community leader they other day he made a point that has been on my mind. He talked about people who spend life walking backwards. Their sight is narrowly on the past. Those people who look back helpless worrying about what they did, obsessing about their failures and how they experienced life. These people puzzle me. I wonder if their life is a sad and lonely journey?
His message made me think of a time I was shopping at the Apple Store.
I experienced the most revolutionary moment while shopping that afternoon. I don’t know if you have been in an Apple Store, but the positive energy is high. The staff are on their feet moving around the room, networking, seeking customers in the store who need techie help. They greet you the minute you enter the doors as if to press into your space, engaging you ensuring they are welcoming. They are attentive while talking. Once you explain your problem, they turn and say, “I am confident we can find a solution to help you with that concern!” The positive energy and commitment in the store is electrifying to me. Grant it, I am in there too much trying to get technologically connected. The genius bar has become one of my favorite stools in town. There have been times they have helped me and others when they could not find a solution. But one thing is for sure, I always leave feeling heard, helped and satisfied.
This one particular day the energy was different. Everyone on staff seemed preoccupied almost disinterested in the customers for a moment. They lined the counter as if they were anticipating something. There were over 15-20 employees looking toward the back of the room. When the clock hit 3:00, a young man appeared from the back room. Immediately a thunder of applause sounded throughout the entire room. All the energy and spirit of that team focused on Jamal. I leaned over to ask what was happening and his teammate said, “Jamal is leaving for college, he has been a great leader for the past 4 years.” The applause did not stop 15 minutes. The sound echoed throughout the store as people patted him on the back tearfully as he passed through his peers on his way out of the door into his future. He looked forward as his passed hand by hand while never looking back only forward. His life was full of promise as those he lived side-by-side with everyday sent him into the world with a full glass.
I posted quote about the theory of the glass is half-full today on Facebook. People commented all day about their thoughts. Some worried if refills were free, others liked the quote. Some people clearly were half-empty people while others were half-full people.
My friends comment states it best. She said, “Whether the glass is half-full or half-empty, life is about buying the next round for those around you.”
I am thinking cheers to that point. Fill your glass to the top and raise it high!
TEMENOS CIRCLE 