Some of us have the innate ability to always see the glass half full in any given situation, while others never fail to see the glass half empty, no matter what's happening in their lives. Maybe you know someone who manages to always turn a positive into a negative. Or there's that one person that can always turn a compliment into a put down. Then there's that forever positive person never seeming to be phased by any adverse events in their lives, always unflappable, positive, (don't you just hate them), (smile), and always in control of their surroundings. Most of us tend to fall somewhere in the middle, however, we probably all know a Miss Positive Patty, and a Miss Negative Nancy. Maybe even a Sunshine Suzy, or Miserable Mike.

Let's lay out a few scenarios and see if you see yourself or someone you know in one or more of these situations. You've heard the saying "into each life some rain must fall." Do you know people whose whole life is one continuous rainstorm? Maybe there's a Miss Sunshine Suzy in your life, that even if it's storming in her life, she's not waiting for the storm to pass, she's always dancing in the rain.

Three "good friends meeting for a day long outing. Friend One and Friend Two are at lunch waiting for friend three to join them. Friend One to Friend Two, looking at her watch, says, "where is she, she's always late, she acts as if the world revolves around her."  Friend two, "Yeah and what in the world did she do with her hair, that color is hideous?" Friend one, " and she can stand to gain a few pounds, who does she think she is a high fashion model."  Friend two, "when is she going to clean up that house, I can't stand to go over there, and I'll never eat anything there, yuk."

Enter Friend Three: One and Two stand up give out the customary air kisses. Friend Three asks, "am I late, how long have you guys been here?" One says, "oh no, we just got here, you're fine girl." Two says, "we were just talking about your hair, who did it, it's looking different these days?" Three, "I did it myself, you like." One and two say in unison, "oh yes, it looks fabulous." Two, "what are you doing to stay so slim, I need to do that?" "Oh go on, I'm just eating less these days. Say, why don't you two come over for dinner Wednesday, I'll make one of my new recipes," says Friend Three.   One and Two, "Okay, what time?" All three spot Friend Four across the room, and the bashing comes from all three. As she spots them, all three smile cheerily, and beckons her over. Over walks Sunshine Suzy.............need I say more!

Seriously ill Steve is lying in his hospital bed talking to two friends, (who came to visit him), about his near death experience. They both halfheartedly sympathize with him. The first one, we'll call him Miserable Mike, waiting with bated breath to get his turn, says (as soon as Seriously ill Steve takes a breath), "you know, I've had the worst time with my big toe. Every time I put my shoe on, it just throbs, I tell you every time I play tennis, it aches. I don't know what I'm going to do about it. And look at my hair, do you think I'm going bald, take a look back here, tell me do you see it?" Number two says, (how about dubbing him Complaining Calvin), "ah man, that's nothing," pointing to his wrist, "look at this rash, everywhere my watch, bracelet or ring touches, I get this rash. I've tried everything and nothing seems to work, I guess I'll just have to live with, (can you say allergy to metal). And I've put on so much weight that I'm having to buy new clothes every six months." Now keep in mind, their seriously ill friend is lying there in bed waiting to finish his story. After all they did come to visit him, and to give him comfort. Well after Miserable Mike, and Complaining Calvin finish describing their individual "problems," they get up to leave, saying, "sorry to hear about your illness, we'll be back to see you soon." As these two, dare I say thoughtless, self-centered individuals leave, in walks Positive Pete, finally...................You know the rest.

Miss Positive Patty and Mrs. Negative Nancy run into each other at the Supermarket. Miss Positive Patty, "what a beautiful day." Mrs. Negative Nancy, Yeah, but, it's too hot, I like it cold, I can't stand it when it reaches 80F, degrees. Miss Positive Patty, "I just ran into Judy, she sure has a nice car." Miss Negative Nancy, "yeah, but, did she have to get that color, that is one of the ugliest colors for a car on the market." Miss Positive Patty, still remaining positive inserts. You know we're invited to the Orange's house for dinner Sunday, are you going?" Mrs. Negative Nancy, "Oh, I guess so, but have you seen that house, she could stand to get some new furniture, it's clean and all, but. "Miss Positive Patty, with her ever sunshine attitude, still trying to keep the meeting on a positive note, says, "The Orange's sure are a generous couple and Mr. Orange is such a nice man. "Mrs. Negative Nancy, I guess, but he's awfully short, why would she marry such a short man? And as far as the invite, she's just trying to be popular, every month, inviting someone new to her house. Miss Positive Patty, realizing there's nothing she can do to elicit a positive response from Mrs. Negative Nancy, walks away dejected, spirits low from the encounter. To give herself a lift, she phones, Sunshine Suzy for an impromptu lunch date, and well...............................You know where I'm going with this.

So who do you think you are, or better still, who do you want to be? Do you see the glass half full, or perpetually half empty. Are you always waiting for the storm to pass or can you learn to dance in the rain? Is each day you wake up to, "just Great,"  or is it just another day full of aches, pains, and problems. Is something wrong with everybody you meet, or is it, you never meet a stranger, (you make everyone a friend)?

Can you identify with Friend One, Two, Three, or Sunshine Suzy ? What about Miss Positive Patty, and Mrs. Negative Nancy?   Maybe Miserable Mike, or Complaining Calvin is very familiar to you. Let's not forget, Positive Pete.

Of course most of these are extremes, (or maybe not), however, upon closer scrutiny, and maybe a little introspective, if we find ourselves too close to any of these unpleasant sorts, could we, maybe, just maybe, make a little bit of an attitude adjustment.

Hold on now! This is not for us to look outwardly. Be careful, an old school saying might apply here. "When you point one finger, three more are pointing back at you, (try it, point your finger). I'm just saying! Oh alright, go ahead, tell me about just one other person you know that fits one of these negative stereotypes, or even one of the positive ones.

Anyway, ISN'T IT A BEAUTIFUL DAY! Uh, uh, uh, no BUTS! Enjoy your day.