Change

As a kid, you learn that the world is full of “glass half full” and “glass half empty” people. As you grow up and as an adult, you encounter and even begin to distinguish between these types of people. I, personally, have always thought of myself as a glass half full person. As I get older, I still believe this but I also believe life is a bit more complex than a simple 50/50 split.

My son is young but even young, he seems to be a pessimist. I don’t understand it and while I don’t paint the world with rainbows all the time, I do feel the need to reinforce an opposing point of view with him. Perhaps it is me being me or perhaps I worry about the world he will continue to immerse himself in and how that world could impact an already negative personality.

I read/viewed a recent Time magazine edition focused on the opioid crisis in our country. Yes it was sad, yes it was scary and yes I will continue to think about how we as a society can possibly change. I think that way because the author made me want to take the crisis more seriously. It isn’t an easy feat to change— the mind and will on their own are forces to be reckoned with let alone dealing with an outside influence.

There are so many things that shade our views— life experiences, people around us, our innate sense of who we are and even what we put into our bodies. Like I mentioned, it is complex. But as writers, we do have a gift to share with the world, a power to shape the lenses of others as they view the world. A power that can effect change.

Happy writing this week!