Good day to you all!
I just thought it was a good time write a post about positive thinking and optimism. Why? WHY NOT?!?!? There is a common expression that goes something like this: "Some people see their glass as half full, while others see it as half empty" This expression is meant to symbolize one's general outlook on life, given that the same situation can be viewed from two equally correct, though opposite viewpoints (the positive and the negative). Some people tend to be "glass half full" people in that they always look at the good in a situation, while the "glass half empty" will always focus on the negatives the situation offers. I do believe this expression is assumed to involve a glass half filled with water, though in my situation I might make the argument that my glass is half filled with sulphuric acid complete with a stick of trinitrotoluene (TNT) floating around in it, being carried through a crowd of people during an ill-timed candlelight vigil. I might be dramatic, but rest assured my glass is still always half full :)
A few thoughts to share with you that I might have already touched on in past Blog posts. Firstly I have seen first hand that while I might have things "bad", there are so many more people out there who have things worse than I do. I am surrounded by caring loving people who would do anything for me. I have not gone a single day without food or shelter, I have not been abandoned and left to deal with my situation on my own... I have an amazing wife who is there for me on a daily basis, helping me physically and emotionally wherever and whenever I need. I have a job that I find challenging and stimulating in all of the best ways. I may have unfortunately unfavourable odds when it comes to living beyond the five year mark, however the very fact I'm alive to type that sentence into my blog is enough to remind me I should not take such things for granted.
There have been moments in my life when I have been particularly touched. I recall having to read a poem or short story in elementary school around Remembrance Day about young boys growing up in Germany. They moved away and went on with their lives only to both join the army on opposing sides. At the end of the story one brother in battle charges over the trenches and stabs his enemy in the chest with his bayonet. As he looks down he sees the dying man call out "My brother! My brother!" I recall getting choked up at that moment, thinking about the senselessness of war and conflict. I'm not sure this really has to do with optimism or positive thinking, but it was on my mind, and this is my blog... so there!
There was a film that impacted me far more than anything else (including the above story) It was the 1997 Italian film "life is beautiful" starring Roberto Benigni. If you haven't seen it, I highly recommend it. I don't want to spoil the ending in case you haven't watched the movie, but I will say it very much reflects what positive thinking can do, and how looking for ways to find the best in even the worst situations can make a world of difference!
Another moment of reflection finds me going back to a close friend's wedding back on July 31st, 2010 when Tim & Jasmine Zurbriggen were married at the OakBank Baptist Church. At the reception that followed another good friend of mine (a man those of you who were at my wedding will remember as "the guy who gave the most hilarious wedding speech ever" and a man who had the honour of being one of my "Best Men", but you may know better as "Nelson") gave another amazing speech. I'll obviously butcher the details if I try to quote him word-for-word, so I won't. But essentially he said something to the effect of "Try to think of the last time Tim ever said a bad word about anybody". He then left what I can only describe as the most meaningful pause I've ever experienced in my life, and then said... "If you're like me you probably couldn't think of a single time." And so right he was. I could tell by looking around I was not the only one to stop and realize this. It was a moment of pure awe, and a moment I will never forget. I have now, and have always, had much respect for both Tim, and Nelson. I think it takes a special person to live the sort of life Tim has lead in being the amazing person he has always been, but it also takes a special person to see that trait in someone and point it out for all to see. How many of you can honestly say you have not spoken badly about anyone (be it a friend, family member, coworker, or a complete stranger) either to their face or behind their back?
I recall in working my many many days in retail at the one... the only... MCP!!! (greatest store on earth, and "Best Second-Hand Clothing Store" in Winnipeg for 9 consecutive years [when I last worked there as the guy who did the marketing] as voted by the readers of Winnipeg Parent Newsmagazine, that at the end of a long Saturday shift I would remember those customers who really got on my nerves. If someone was particularly rude I would remember that customer at the end of my shift. If someone was particularly kind, I generally let it slip into the generic "things that happened today" part of my brain along with "the colour of shirt that guy I saw in line ahead of me at the Starbucks yesterday"... in other words stuff I will never remember ever again. We need to learn to make a conscious effort to see the positive things that happen around us each and every day, and just as equally, learn to play down those negative events that occur (or try to see the goodness in them). I have found that doing so has made me a far more positive and optimistic person.
I mention this because I believe my positivity and optimism has played a very large role in my dealing with having such a terrible terminal illness. I will continue to keep a positive optimistic outlook on my life & my medical situation in the hopes it helps me in whatever way possible. It can't hurt afterall now can it?
This blog post was somewhat rambling and lacking a solid coherent theme... But they say "Do what you know best", and anyone who knows me knows I know my incoherent endless rambling!!! Hope you all have a good day eh? Cheers!
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Tom
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