Are you a glass half full or half empty type of person? The way you view the glass could reveal a lot about how you perceive life.
“From the optimist's point-of-view the world is full of potential opportunities. The pessimist, on the other hand, observes mainly the negative aspects of everything around. Thinking of all the potential dangers and pitfalls on the way, the pessimist is likely to have little hope for the future.”
Whether you see it as half full, filled with potential, or half empty, indicating shortcomings, your outlook can influence more than you might think. As we prepare for the rest of the year, how willing are you to recognize your current perceptions?
How are you?
To our beloved readers, it’s nice to connect again! We are officially into our third month of the year. I hope it brought you growth, meaningful relationships, and memorable lessons.
Let's embrace March and all the opportunities it will bring! My favorite thing about life is the endless possibilities we’re presented with. Opportunities are waiting for each of us, and it’s up to us to seize them. Every day, we’re faced with countless paths and chances to pursue. It’s our job to make the most of them. Let’s make March the window for taking chances and embracing the new beginnings that await.
What if there was a way to make the chances work out in your favor? Though it’s fun to leave things up to chance, there’s something fulfilling about being able to sway the opportunities that find you. Inevitably, there are some things we can’t control. Instead, we can shape our minds and souls to adapt. Instead of waiting for opportunities, let’s find the skills necessary to make the most of them.
While the opportunities come knocking, let’s think about how you view the world now. There are a few categories that you can fall into. If you saw the cup as half full, you’re an optimist. If you saw it half empty, you’re a pessimist. As an optimist, you can see opportunities where pessimists may see obstacles or setbacks. Your outlook can influence the chances you’ll take.
Optimists:
Reaching your ambitions and dreams is not a one-size-fits-all experience. Your upbringing, culture, and personal experiences all contribute to your willingness to chase opportunities. Optimism can be learned over time or passed down through older generations. It also has the potential to be shaped by new connections and the environment we find ourselves in. As always, take what resonates with you, and remember to keep in mind some tips that could aid others along their own paths. We are all unique; therefore, taking on life will be its own kind of experience.
We can learn a lot about opportunities through the lens of religion.
Religion:
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)
“When you pursue a worthy goal, you must become a new person. You must learn new things, believe new thoughts, and cultivate new behaviors and habits. There is great peace and freedom that comes by allowing God to do His transformative work in us. We do not have the ability to perfect ourselves.”
“According to one’s good or bad actions, Bhagwan rewards or punishes. The word ‘karma’ means human action or deed; we are constantly performing karmas… nothing in this world happens accidentally or coincidentally; there is a reason behind everything though it may not be clear to us at that time.”
“Manifesting is cultivating the experience of what it is that you want to feel — and then living and believing in that experience so that you can allow it to come into form.”
As a former Catholic, my view of future opportunities was very structured. As long as I abided by a routine, I believed my aspirations would come to fruition. However, I never felt satisfied by that linear way of thinking. From that point on, I challenged myself to shift how I would pursue opportunities. After trial and error, I’ve had better luck channeling my optimism through spirituality. No matter which path you choose, not every opportunity will turn out the way you expect – and that’s perfectly okay. Life isn’t meant to be a smooth ride. Not every step will bring happiness or success. Setbacks are just part of the process.
Pessimists:
My people, it’s time to dig deep for a second. Beyond the superficial “I’ve always been this way,” I challenge you to ask yourself why it's easier to view the cup half empty. Coming from someone who hasn’t had the best experiences, I’m here to admit that I also fear the concept of leaving things up to chance. With my experiences, I turned that fear into curiosity and receptiveness. Here’s a guide on how to make chances work out in your favor.
First, you must ask yourself what outcome you desire. Some goals can switch up on a frequent occasion, whilst most may show a pattern or theme. A lot of times, people use New Year’s as a time for goal setting. As written in a previous blog, you can allocate any time of year to bring forward a better you. All you need is a desire for growth and a means of capturing your journey.
With the pandemic, I started to dive into the realm of spirituality. I have learned a thing or two that I plan to keep with me.
Gabrielle Bernstein published a book where she talks about finding the power to conquer your goals. “Want to know the secret to manifesting? Manifesting isn’t about getting; it’s about allowing. As soon as you let go of control (comfort), you become a magnet for what you desire,” she wrote.
In order to proactively manifest my goals, I had to shift the way I felt about the future. Instead of being fearful of what’s to come, I’ve learned to have an open mind and heart. Having experienced this shift in perceptions, I’ve found the right balance between optimism and pessimism. That brings me to my next point.
In 2023, I jumped on the vision board bandwagon. Though I originally went into it with the intention of crafting with my friends, I found the board to have some sustenance. When I made it, I put the least effort into cutting and pasting images of things I’d want to do at some point. Though I was unaware of it at the time, I was taking the necessary steps to manifest a better future for myself. Looking back at 2023, I felt fulfilled with how I grew as a person. The following year, I didn’t make a board out of laziness. To my surprise, I wasn't happy with how I lived the year. Though it wasn't bad, it felt stagnant.
Having learned the lesson the hard way, I made it my mission to make the most beneficial vision board this year. I planned down my aspirations, desires, and areas for improvement. Just three months into the year, I rejoice in everything I’ve learned and still have to learn. Though I can't control my future, I can take the proper steps to set myself up for success.
If you are attempting to manifest better opportunities, it’s never too late to start! Whether you lean toward optimism or caution, you have the power to shape what’s next. Aside from being strictly optimistic or pessimistic, you can also be a combination of both. Life is filled with endless possibilities, and March brings with it a fresh start. Just around the corner, there’s a chance to embrace future chances. Whether you’re practicing patience, developing a mindset of abundance, or just learning to take things one day at a time, remember that every day counts.
So, here’s to continuing the journey, seizing opportunities, and embracing the growth that awaits. Let’s make this month one of intention and action. Whether you see the glass as half full or half empty, take the steps today to fill them.
I look forward to connecting again soon. Until then, take care of yourself, trust in the process, and keep striving toward the future you’re building.
About the Author:
Born and raised in Las Vegas, Alan Perez is joining the LYF team for the Spring 2025 term. A transfer student from the College of Southern Nevada (CSN), Alan is now pursuing a BA in Journalism at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), with a focus in public relations and advertising. Alan is excited to contribute his skills as a content writer and editor for LYF.
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