Day 213: Half empty...

Hey did I miss something?  When the hell did this country become "glass is half empty"?  It seems everything is about the dark side of life.  From the news telecasts to our conversations with friends, we seldom hear an encouraging word about anything these days.  Whether it's people in the news or folks in our neighborhood, conversations all seem to focus on tearing someone down rather than pointing out their gifts. 

At work I come to expect the negativity combined with a healthy dose of ego.  Perhaps that's the same in most professions.  But here's an example of what I'm talking about.  Look at what's going on in the Olympics, especially with Team USA.  Ryan Lochte wins his first gold medal and what's splashed on the headlines?  "DISASTER!  Phelps doesn't medal".  Really?  The most important news was not the American winner but the American loser?  A couple nights later, what was the big story?  "Lochte failed to medal!"  Oh, yeah, and by the way, there was some girl, I think, swimmer maybe, not sure.  Something about a race in water or whatever, got a medal, think it was yellow.  Who knows... but Lochte didn't medal!!  Splashed across the newspapers and the internet are images of Lochte and Phelps giving their best "Uh buhhh" expressions while in teeny, tiny little thumbnail images, pressed in between ads to refinance your home and enhance your sex life, there's this adorable, fresh faced 17 year old kid bursting with excitement over her accomplishment.  Why the hell can't THAT be the headline? 

We've grown into a society, a culture, that is obsessed with pointing out the flaws of others.  We almost never endorse but are quick to judge.  We complain about how little is in our glass.  It's not whether that glass is half empty or half full.  It's the contents of that glass that matters.  There's a huge difference between a half empty glass of urine versus a half empty glass of wine.  Which would you prefer?  A small splash of an exquisite wine is far more gratifying than a full glass of, say, cod liver oil.  Appreciate the good we have because it doesn't last forever.

As for the Olympics, we should be focusing on the efforts and triumphs of all athletes, not the demise of an over-hyped prima donna.  I know that goes against the grain our media.  I think Seacrest and Costas would burst into flames if they were forced to report on the good rather then the scandalous.  Well, don't be sucked in by their drama.  Take the time to find those stories of inspiration not only in these Olympic games but in every day life.