The Bright Side

I ran into an acquaintance yesterday and we began exchanging the usual,

"How's it going?"

He told me that his car was in the shop and that it had turned into a difficult week. But he ended up emphasizing that it was "okay." He said that he knew it wasn't that bad after all. He mentioned that he'd recently volunteered at a food distribution shelter in town and spoke to so many who were struggling to make it. So his temporary problem was really only an annoyance.

"Bright side," I said, smiling.

Our brief conversation reminded me of an interesting work staff meeting. We had a team-building exercise in which we took a short test that revealed how we tackle problems or difficulties. Based on our answers, we then got to wear different colored hats and were placed in groups to solve problems. Our groups consisted of those different from us, and our problems were typical workplace issues that we encountered regularly. I got to wear a bright yellow hat which meant I tested to be one of the optimistic ones, always looking on the bright side of things. Others tested as problem solvers, innovators, troubleshooters, etc.

Obviously, each personality has its strengths and weaknesses, mine being not necessarily one who can anticipate potential problems but one who can focus on what is going right in the midst of chaos. So essentially, my type annoys the crap out of the troubleshooters who see all kinds of obstacles along the way, potential or real, and truly, they sometimes annoy us with yellow-hat people with their nitpicking. This ended up being a great and funny activity because we learned to appreciate each other's differences and what we all brought to the table.

It’s true that we all need each other and that our strengths and weaknesses complement each other. Following the activity, I wondered how / why I ended up being so cheery. It’s nice I tested that way, although I’m not always so positive in reality. But several things come to mind that I always do try to practice even if they require much effort.

When I find myself overwhelmed about a problem or fearful or weary, I try to pause and simply acknowledge what I’m feeling. Then I talk to God about it. He's my Great Counselor. I then try to put the problem in perspective. I ask myself - is it really that bad?

Sometimes, yes; sometimes, not. And, most important of all, in these situations, I just start thanking God for what I know to be good; for what I know I have; for who He is. Then I realize I have so much. Instantly, whatever lack I feel or fear is evaporated. Gratitude is so powerful!

I remember feeling this when working the night shift in the children’s hospital. I could feel, be, so tired. I was weary physically, to be sure, but also mentally from the brain power it took to instantly recall tons of norms/abnormals as reports were given and doctor’s orders were being barked to us and as dosages were calculated. But the greatest toil, which came often, was the sadness. We had the sick kids, the sickest of kids, along with the devastated parents. Then always, because this never failed, never, I’d look outside at the sky. Towards the end of my shift, the end of a long night, I’d go to a window and look outside at the daybreak. And it never disappointed. It was a gorgeous, glorious, yet silent time in the world. So many miss it! I’d stand there at the window and watch the tiny beginnings of a brand new day as it was starting on the yonder horizon when the grey sky was turning purple, then it was slowly giving way to orange, then to brightness, and the world was waking up. Every single day brought hope and peace and beauty in the midst of any and every darkness. And I was always so thankful!