Both Ways

Do you see impending darkness or a beautiful sunset?

There is a very familiar metaphor about glasses being half full or half empty.  And when you bring up that metaphor, if you don't ask the follow-up question, then, well, you might as well not have brought up the metaphor.  So. . .are you a glass half-full or a glass half-empty person? 

Honestly, I prefer the half-full outlook.  I like to be optimistic, and I find that it really is helpful for my attitude to find the positive.  I like the rainbows, butterflies, sunny skies, happy-go-lucky feelings.  However, that is not realistic.  Lately, the glass question now is more complicated because my answer is no longer so quick.  My answer is "I can see it both ways."  I look at that glass, and I can see how you can see it either half-full or half-empty.

Before you think I'm trying to say that I'm the better person for it; let me be honest.  Seeing that glass both ways really is a burden.  While I try to see all sides of an issue, this puts me in a difficult spot many times.  It can appear that I'm flaky, indecisive, inconsistent, disloyal, or perhaps that I would "betray my own."  You think I'm making this up?  No, I have been questioned about this just recently.

I don't like politics, and I don't know many people who do.  However, I do know many people who have very strong opinions one way or the other.  Because I try to see things from all sides, I have a hard time making a decision or even figuring out what is right and what is wrong.  I agree that we need to decide which side of the fence we are on, but I think it's important to, once in a while, stand up on the fence and get the view from the opposition.  What are they seeing?  Does this mean I have to agree with them?  No, but it's important to gain a new perspective.

Because I can see where a side is coming from does not mean that I fully support that cause or the way the people are pushing a cause.  However, I still prefer the optimistic attitude.  Life truly is what you make it, but you can't forget that there is opposition and that the view is different for everyone because we all climbed our own mountains.  My perspective will have similarities to another person, but that person's journey can give me a new perspective; and perhaps that perspective will give me clarity for my own. 

The most important thing is to respect the other perspective, even if you don't agree with it.  Respect does not necessarily mean to agree or support.  The other tough thing is to not criticize or demean another person's journey.   Yes, we have to judge for ourselves if something is correct, but that does not mean we should throw out respect for another person's perspective.

"We have a choice.  We can seek for the bad in others.  Or we can make peace and work to extend to others the understanding, fairness, and forgiveness we so desperately desire for ourselves.  It is our choice; for whatever we seek, that we will certainly find." ~Deiter F. Uchtdorf

So, are you a glass half-full or a glass half-empty person, and can you see the other perspective?