Is your glass Half-full or Half empty....?

Photography Credit: Robin Zenczak

We all know that age old test of optimism and pessimism- is the glass half full or half empty? If you are not familiar with it, goes as follows: there is a glass with water in; it is clear that the glass in NOT full, but it is said that if you see the glass as half full, you are an optimist and tend to be a positive thinker; if you see the glass as half empty, then it is said that you are a pessimist or tend to be a negative thinker.

I was and still I AM an optimistic person, I am always looking for the silver lining in even the worst situations. Over the years I have been doing a lot of self-growth work: learning to be a Holistic Life Coach (using myself as my first client), cultivating a gratitude practice and finding new ways to apply both my gratitude practice and my optimism for myself, family and clients. Recently, while looking for great motivational speeches on positivity to post to my Facebook page- I came across a speech that used this proverbial saying. This speaker, then used this concept and began to test the idea of whether people can get stuck in negative thinking. I was AMAZED that when I heard this expression, my first thought was, “Who cares whether the glass is half full or half empty… there is water in it!”

How could this be?! Have I turned from an Optimist to a Realist?! Afterall aren’t Realist just Pessimists wearing a great looking suit…? I had much curiosity about this new thought that seemed to pop-up out of no where, so I began to explore it more. I arrived at the conclusion that, in this moment, I had attained a new level of understanding; my thought had absolutely nothing to do with being positive, or negative, or real- it had to do with gratitude. It had nothing to do with thinking anything, it had to do with being. Being in a state of gratitude.

Perhaps this is the difference even- between positivity and gratitude? It doesn't matter how much water is in the glass, there IS water in it. Positivity IS something that takes practice for sure, but one thing I do know is that the relationship between them is reciprocal- each begets the other. Positivity will lead to a gratitude practice and vice versa. When you start to identify what goes right, or what you can be thankful for, then even the most hardcore pessimist can retrain themselves to look on the brighter side and get unstuck from their thought patterns and tendencies toward negativity!

No one says that being positive and finding gratitude is easy, but it is worth it. You can absolutely change your thoughts and energy patterns to shift from feeling unfulfilled to fulfilled and grateful; from pessimism to optimism. There is research that shows actual physiological changes in the brain with behavior shifts. People actually report elevated moods, a greater sense of well-being, more success, increased socialization and overall joy when they retrain their brain to shift its thoughts to a more positive thought process. The best part of all of this is that YOU have the power within YOU to make this change when you are ready. When will you decide to fully embrace the power you possess to make change? What will it look like for you?

How do you start a gratitude practice that becomes a positive attitude practice?

1) Every day write down just one thing you are thankful for. (I guarantee you; you’ll find more than one, but start there.)

2) Take 5 minutes at the end of each week to read what you have written. WALLA- IT HAS BEGUN!

Robin Zenczak, RN, RYT-200, HLC-MBP

Spirited Health

Change vs. Transition

Change is really hard. Especially when it is sudden, forced on us, or was not originated by us. Why is this? The answer is because we are creatures of habit- we like our comfort zone, because.. well it is comfortable. In the comfort zone there is no opposition, there is no energy that needs to be expended- after all, comfort is a place of receiving and who doesn’t like to receive and be comfortable?

Change happens when it is time for us to move on, when things as they are (whether it be our current situation, our state of mind, or state of being) are no longer aligned with who we are. Change is necessary for growth. We are not always in control of that growth, sometimes, most times- we are not even aware it- life, God, Spirit ( what ever you may choose to call it) , moves us along to where we need to be, because our energy, or our journey is changing paths.

Change requires us to let go of what was, often times without knowing what will be. This is down right scary. Fear is the obstacle waiting for us when shifting occurs. Fear is often what keeps us stuck in our story- our situations; after all if we don’t change we don’t have to face the unknown, the fear.

Transition is the process of moving from one place, idea, or moment to another. The word itself sounds softer and less abrasive though it is still change. People most often use the term transition when the change they are experiencing is their choice. Transition is no less delicate, in fact, it can be more grueling- especially when we take the time to do the inner work.

The difference between change and transition is our mindset. By choosing to see the unknown as opportunity, adventure, or necessary to get to our next place, then we defuse the fear and can gain focus and clarity. Through change and transition we often learn something about ourselves- a.k.a. we grow: spiritually, emotionally, intellectually or physically. Some type of metamorphosis occurs.

If we find ourselves going through change over and over again, one of two things could be happening. Either we have not found the meaning or lesson behind the change, or we are developing, growing or changing rapidly- perhaps our energetic patterns are changing quickly. I know this happens especially during awakenings and spiritual growth processes.

Right about now you are reading this and probably saying, ’All this sounds great, but it’s hard!’ I get it! Notice no where in this blog did I say it was easy. I have been and still am in huge transition even as I write this. Healer and light workers are not exempt to this process. I have been growing and changing. The space in which I teach Yoga and see clients has changed- which is still morphing, I have had two, ‘day job’ changes, living arrangement changes, and I am currently in the process of becoming certified as a Holistic Life Coach. (As an aside I will be offering this additional service soon. I will still be using all my other modalities as adjunct tools to assist people in transition……really, I’m just making what I already do official with a certificate.)

The key it to reframe your mindset. Keep in mind that change is the process of transition, think of it as being in a state of metamorphosis. Approach change with a sense of curious inquiry. Trust in the process of why this is happening, and where it is taking you. Be present. Choose to look around, look inward- be in the moment of the change, don’t hide or put blinders on. Find the lesson, the reason.

If you feel overwhelmed, or lost it is OK. If you need help with grounding to be present through the change, or help to reprogram your mindset, then ask for help. There are many people out there to help you. I am one of them.

This will not pass, you will pass through it! You will emerge on the other side, changed, strong, and with the knowledge to help others who may be going through exactly what you just lived through-pass it forward- be their light.