Half a Glass

by ST, 1996

     There ae several ways we could respond when given half a glass of something:

Shock:  "Oh my gosh, I've only got half a glass!"
Curiosity:  "I wonder how come I only got a half a glass?"
Outrage:  "Hey, my glass is half empty!"
Low self-image:  "I guess I don't have what it takes to get a full glass."
Sarcasm:  "I guess that's all you can expect around here."
Positive:  "Half a glass is better than none--"

     What really makes the difference is what happens next.  Some of these responses end in complaints and cynicism, while others could end in problem-solving.
     Reader's Digest had a couple articles on optimism vs pessimism.  Not surprisingly, optimists have been found to be more successful, for at least 2 reasons:  1) If you believe something good can happen, you will keep searching for the way to make it happen (a person who believes it can't happen will never put in the energy to see it happen); 2) people are attracted to those who have a positive personality, so that person is more successful in recruiting help to solve problems.
     Although I recognize that I have faults and weaknesses, if I spend my time consumed in berating or bemoaning myself, I can never accomplish anything, unless it might be suicide.  If I never face my faults and weaknesses, likewise, I am not likely to succeed.  I need to recognize both my strengths and my weaknesses, believe in my ability to change what I don't like in myself, and put the effort into finding a way to be what I want to be.
     I feel the same way about our school and our community.  We have both strengths and weaknesses.  We can choose whether this is a happy place, or a prison.  If enough of us (both students and staff) are willing to believe in our school (believe in each of our students, believe in each of our staff members), look honestly at ourselves, search for solutions, have the courage to risk failure in order to find a way to succeed, and, keep on trying, I believe we can make our school what we want it to be.  Other schools have done it, with just as many liabilities, and we can too--if we'll believe in ourselves, and believe in each other!
     Thanks for all you do--Susan Ternyey

Written as a piece to share with the school I was working for (in the capacity of a mentor).