The Glass is Half Full January 24th 2023

We are closing in on the last half of January.  I don't do the New Years resolution thing any more cause frankly,  new years resolutions just made me feel like there was one (or several) more things on which I missed the mark.  And that feeling would always sink in right about this time of year.  The third Monday in January is indeed a significant day:  On that day every year regular Gym goers get the use of their equipment back from the thousands of people who have spent on millions of dollars on annual gym memberships that were used about four to six times. 

Since I gave up the resolution thing, I have been a far more glass is half full type a guy.  Well except to when it comes to beer.  Come to beer the glass is full or it isn't.  And apparently that is okay.  I mean a fondness for beer certainly won't stop you from...Oh I don't know.......say......getting appointed to the U.S.S.C.   (The odd cheap shot still sneaks out).  

So many personal projects start on January 1st., the first of the month, or a Monday.  We were kinda brought up that way.  Races start at a start line.  We have specific starting points so those of us who aren't mathematical, or academic, or organized find it easier to measure our success.  And I dare say I have managed to start somethings on January 1st. that have been successful.   Possibly because I didn't regard them as some sort of life changing resolution.  I simply regarded the same goal as that.  A goal.......... And therein lies the power of language. 

Now not everyone is going to agree with me in thinking that the word resolution when paired with the New Year is a recipe for failure.  And I certainly don't have any evidence to prove my theory, other than my own failures in the resolution department.   But I am willing to bet you gyms all over the world were considerably easier to get into yesterday.   I am willing to bet that junk food, liquor,  and tobacco sales are much higher now than they were three weeks ago.  Cause although we are all individuals, we really aren't that different.  

Some of us are smarter than others.  Some of us are hungrier, more competitive, less sensitive.  Some are stronger, and physically better equipped to succeed.   And to those of us who never made the honour roll,  lettered in sports, promoted past middle management, or filled a bank account, the smarter, hungrier, more competitive, less sensitive have it much much easier.   Well this isn't experience talking, but I don't think there is anything particularly easy about being successful.  In fact I think it is very difficult.  While talent is neither a religion nor an earned attribute, having same simply lifts you into a level of those who possess some natural abilities.  Getting there is tough.  Staying there is tougher.  

Again the language we use to describe what appears to be exactly the same circumstance, can change everything.   It took me far too long to realize knowing my limitations is not the same thing as giving up.  That knowing the difference between a dream and a goal makes life a little more rewarding.  That challenges still abound regardless of the league we find ourselves within,  well the sooner we can start living a life where the glass is half full.   And a glass half full means a happy life is yours.   Unless of course it is a beer glass....