Half full, or half empty?

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We tend to see the glass as either half full, or as half empty.
Depending on the situation and, of course, our state of mind, we look at whatever is happening in our lives from the positive, half full, perspective; or from the more negative ~ or perhaps in some cases more realistic ~ half empty perspective.

As long as we realize that it is our choice how we perceive (most) situations we encounter in our lives, there is absolutely nothing wrong with either perspective. Although people who consistently choose to see the glass as half full may claim that their lives are easier; more a flow than a series of steps. Still, it is our choice.

When we apply the same principle on how we see other people, we are not looking at whether the glass is half full or half empty any longer; we are looking at qualities, possibilities, and the best that can be on one side, and shortcomings, aspects that need (a lot of) work, and failures on the other side.

Apart from the fact that all of these are our opinions ~ and therefore are coming quite close to being (our) preconceived ideas and judgements ~ they spell an enormous change in how we perceive and interact with other people.
When we, as a matter of course, see the qualities and possibilities of that other person, and see the best they can become; we are more likely to encourage them to take that next step. To reach for that goal that they themselves at that point may not even see as a realistic possibility.
On the other hand, when we see all the things the other person is not; the things they haven’t achieved yet, and how they ~ at least from our perspective ~ are not working at it in the ‘right’ manner; it becomes very hard to encourage or even motivate that other person to move in any direction at all…

There is a huge difference in what the other person may do with a newly discovered skill ~ or a talent that receives some positive feedback ~ depending on the reaction of their immediate environment.
Is that reaction positive; seeing it as a chance to do something new and wonderful, and encouraging as to finding a practical application for it, chances are the other person will explore further, and discover even more of the potential they carry within themselves.
It that reaction something like: “No-one ever said you were not …” or “No-one ever said you could not …”, then the implication is that while what the other person is doing or discovering is not ‘wrong’, at least the way that person is handling it, is.
So why bother to continue?

How we approach the people we meet is ~ just as our lives are ~ our choice.
The question then becomes; are you a ‘glass half full’, or a ‘glass half empty’ person?
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