Glass half full or half empty?

Hello again
Reading the paper this long weekend, I was struck by the number of articles, letters and opinion segments that showed people shouldn’t be accountable for their own actions, attitudes or outcomes.  Be it reducing rugby scores for school kids, misbehaving youth, blaming the Government for all the World’s ills, there seems to be a reluctance for people wanting to own the situation they are in.  This can be further applied to the attitude people carry.  Lynda and I have an ongoing dialogue over whether the people we meet are “glass half full” or “glass half empty”, that is positive or negative in their general outlook.  While entertaining, it is also interesting to understand why people think the way they do.  I believe it comes down to choice.

“No one can make you feel inferior without your permission” is one of my favourite quotes, mainly because it reflects my belief that we chose our state of mind.  If we decide to be happy, we normally see, enjoy, associate with feel happy.  The same applies to the negative.  Because this concept is so powerful, we can tend to want to avoid it, and that is when the blame, denial or excuses begin.

I was introduced to the “The Line” theory some years ago.  It refers to whether you chose to operate above (Positive) or below (Negative) the line.  Being positive involves empowering yourself and understanding that you are directly responsible for the position, life, relationships, education and wealth position you are in.  Being negative involves assuming you have no control or choice over your life, never owning or being accountable for your decisions, blaming others, finding excuses or simply denying you have any responsibility.

Wayne Norrie of Revera gave me the following diagram:

 
 

The beauty of the concept is that you have the choice.  The sooner you accept that you own your attitude, the sooner you can start changing the things you don’t like (and enjoying the ones you do!).  Don’t accept it, and continue to be the victim, feeling the frustration and lack of control.  It’s your choice.

Cheers
Lincoln

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