Do you know the difference between these two words, or lifestyles? For many years I was not sure which meant what. In 1904, there was a simple rhyme that appeared in the New York Sun; “Twixt optimist and pessimist, the difference is quite droll; The optimist the donut sees – The pessimist the hole.”
So which are you? Do you see the glass as half full, or half empty? We all know someone who will brighten up a room …….. just by leaving. That would be the pessimist. You know, the kind of person who makes you want to cross the street so you don’t have to have a conversation with them. When you ask a simple question, like “How are you?” you better have some time because they are going to dump their bucket of woes on you.
The interesting thing is that what they are telling you may not have anything at all to do with what is really bothering them. For example, they may tell you how bad the weather is, how their house needs to be painted, or the grass needs to be mowed. However, what is really bothering them is that they are lonesome, or they are concerned about how they are going to pay for all the medicine that they need to take.
Whenever I see someone with a frown, my goal is to turn that frown upside down. You see, life is like an echo; you get back what you send out. If you are not a fun person to be around, you tend to attract people like yourself, or even worse you make other people miserable. On the other hand, if you are the kind of person that always has something nice to say, or perpetually wants to make others smile, you tend to attract positive, pleasant people.
The Book that has sold more copies than any other book in the world says that; “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” That is the Gospel truth. When you make someone else feel better, inevitably, you feel better. Sometimes all it takes is the willingness to listen. Think about it, the Good Lord gave you two ears and two eyes, but He only gave you one mouth. Perhaps we should look and listen at least twice as much as we talk.
The victims of the tragedy on the Gulf Coast need someone to listen to them. This is the worst natural disaster in the history of our nation and we cannot even begin to imagine what some of our “Guests” who are victims of Katrina, or the levy breaking, have been through. They need people to listen to them. Our children need to be listened to. If you are fortunate enough to have a spouse, she or he needs you to observe how they feel, ask the right question and then just listen. Our Hospitals and Nursing Homes are filled with people who need a kind word and a listening ear. You will be surprised at the wisdom you can gain by listening to others.
When I wake up every morning I say; “Good Morning Lord.” Some folks say, “Good Lord, it’s morning.” The choice is yours. So “As you ramble on through life, whatever be your goal, keep your eye upon the doughnut and not upon the hole.”

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