Is your glass 1/2 empty or 1/2 full???

Realist. Yup. I LOVE the analogy about lint picking. My mom died unexpectedly about 3 years ago. At that time I remember thinking "Life is too short." and it remains my mantra. However, with that I know there are still things that must be done and details tended to. I will never be the kind of mom who flips when there is a spill or something is broken--life is just too short.  But with the knowledge that life is too short is also the stark realization that you just never know what is going to happen, so it puts things into a different perspective coming through those tainted glasses.

Thank God you didn't buy the acceptance line! So glad your story is having a happy ending!! 

I try not to sweat the small stuff, but unfortunately, sometimes I do get to sweatin'...and not because I'm exercising!

Again, so glad your daughter is doing so well!! I'm SURE it will continue!!!

Thanks!

I am a weird mix of both... maybe a "the glass is too big, otherwise it would be full" kind of person lol

I am a hope for the best prepare for the worst kind of person. I sure hope people honor what they say, but I guard a part of me just in case they don't. I work hard to do my part on this WLS and I don't quit, but I won't get on the scale because I am almost positive it would be a fail.

you are going to do amazing and really show off your natural beauty! hang in there!

(edited to change "quite" to "quit" lol )

"I am a weird mix of both... maybe a "the glass is too big, otherwise it would be full" kind of person"

Great way to think of it! LOL!

I actually wrote that I hope for the best but plan for the worst, but took it out because I wasn't sure anyone would get me, but you do! That is exactly how I roll. Granted, there is still a tinge of negativity to that, but it is a realistic approach. What the heck would my family be doing if I didn't have a plan B in place in the event of my not being well when we thought I would, which I'm not. I'd be left scrambling and panicking to find help. Instead, while hoping for the *******so was aware that things happen and I was able to put all my ducks in a row--and am so thankful I did. And yes, screw the scale!!

Thanks for the kind words!

Denise: I think that it is healthy to be realistic about things to help you deal with situations. I believe in repressing feelings (i.e. my kid is going to have heart surgery) is risky b/c what if something goes wrong and you aren't prepared and you have not dealt with the fear or anxiety. It just sits there and festers. I believe in talking about the truth - getting it out and dealing with it - no festering. But on the other hand if everything everything with this child goes OK, then she is happier/better for not "having gone to the dark place" like I do. Less stress. I however, was more optimistic when I was younger and at 47, I am more of a realist now (with a "hangover" of optimism....it's in there somewhere). But life kicks the crap out of you and you become "real". For instance, I think it is practical to know that risks of weight gain with this surgery. If I were oblivious to the truth, I would think that the weight is magically disappearing and I never have to worry about the future. The person that I am today is not that person...that optimisitic person has failed at so many diets and lost hundreds of pounds, only to regain. I am hoping that this war-hardened level of relalistic thinking is going to make me face the facts and deal with things. "Hypotheical example - say I was 4 years out and have gained 15 lbs...I know that this is a slippery slope to regaining lots of weight and I better be prepared to take it off" as opposed to being "in denial" about things. Denise, I am like you in the sense I am a relist and I like to be prepared for reality. I made my will out before RNY surgery - just in case. It did not make me sad or depressed to do it, it made me feel better that I had no loose end dangling out there if I were to die and that my dogs and my house etc....will be taken care of. Bottom line is that I am a realist tainted with some optimism. LOL!!! Better to be prepared IMO.

 Hi Denise:

I tend to have my glass 1/2 full and my husband's is 1/2 empty so between the two of us we are running on full.  You sound a whole lot like my daughter.  It took me the better part of 4 years to finally figure out that when she vented, she was not looking for solutions or positives, she only wanted a sounding board.  I now listen, commiserate, and only answer when a direct question is asked.  To say the least, we have a terrific relationship now.  My husband on the other hand, is still learning.  Not to blow rainbows, but in six months, look back at your old blogs and they will probably make you smile.  I hope this time will fly on down the road and you get to that feel good spot.

Thanks! I do often take a look at my old posts and do find it incredibly interesting how much things change and how our reactions to those things change too. Life is ever-evolving (hopefully or boy would that be boring!!) and I try to take every opportunity to learn and grow from those around me.

And I think husbands will ALWAYS be learning. LOL!!!

Have a good day!

Denise

Perhaps it's an off-shoot of writing about starving and impoverished people every day, but my glass is always overflowing. I'm not rich. Not nearly. I don't have the nicest house, clothes, car. I often don't have the money for the latest trend. But I am profoundly thankful for what I do have.

Even in this process. Yes, I didn't lose everything I thought I'd lose (but at the same time if I go by my pre-op expectations I lost way more than I ever thought). Yes, I am one of the larger post-ops in nearly every group of long-term post-ops I know. But guess what? Every day, as I practice mindful eating, being good to myself, learning to manage my emotions and problems, I remove one more link in the chain that connects me to my food demons. Every day I am a little bit more free than yesterday. Every day I am a little bit more satisfied than yesterday. Every day I'm a little more thankful than yesterday.

So even when it seems like I am running on empty, I'm running on full. I have so much. I've been given so much. My hope is to not lose sight of that to petty insecurities and comparisons, but to always remember where I came from and where I never, EVER want to return.

My "bent" is to negativity, but I choose to be positive.  I've visited some third world countries (I felt guilty when I saw the poverty) and recently made many trips to a VA Hospital with my step dad - there are so many veterans that have "paid" for our freedom.

I, too, am recovering from plastic surgery and I'm frustrated at the discomfort and lack of progress.  I also realize how "blessed" I am to have a roof over my head, a comfortable bed, heat in winter and A/C in summer, fresh unpoluted water, abundant food available, medical care, medications, shoes, clothing, dental care, etc., etc., etc.

I am a woman of faith.  I am so priveledged to be American and have so much abundance.  It helps me put things in perspective.

I have good boundaries.  I accept responsibility for my thoughts, feelings and actions.  I am blessed compared to most of the people in this world.

I'm a glass full sort of person. That doesn't mean that I will ignore problems. But I don't go out of my way thinking of "what ifs" either--that always calls to mind the story of the Three Sillies.

IMHO positive thinking is a powerful thing. How you respond to problems, how well & how fast you recover from things, is tied into positive thinking. ******g and moaning about things solves nothing.

Of course bad things have happened in my life. My mother died of cancer--it metastasized from her lungs to her brain and was so far advanced when it was discovered that nothing could be done about it. I had sole care of her and positive thinking allowed her last 8 months to be happy ones.

Recovering from surgery is the same thing. Nothing wrong with venting--that's natural & in fact lets you avoid letting things build up inside. But if you don't have an overall positive attitude recovery will be harder and longer. In fact, a badly negative attitude can actually set you back.

But we're all different and have our own way of coping with things.