Is your glass half empty or half full? Mine tends to be almost completely full but there are time when it empties a bit. However, even if there’s only half a glass, it’s still enough to nourish and refresh…but only if drunk.
The end of the year is a time when many bloggers are looking back at the past year. The Lens Artists Challenge, Thursday Doors, and others suggest we share our favorite photos of the year. I always plan to do that, but when push comes to shove, I just can’t do it: too many photos to choose from and too many that I’d choose. Every day I put out photos that I love, photos I hope you love as well and that has to be enough.
Tina at Travels and Trifles shared this quote:
“Which of my photographs is my favorite? The one I’m going to take tomorrow. ” Imogen Cunningham
Let that be true not just for photos but also for our lives, and it fits with my next thought of looking ahead at the upcoming year. There will be many changes in 2020 for me and my husband, something a bit overwhelming if I allow it to be, but I’m picking up the half-full glass and drinking deeply. I feel these changes are something that God’s led us to make, so I rest in that. Which isn’t to say sometimes it feels that the glass is tipping over, but who knows what exciting things will be waiting ahead?
Finally, an attitude of gratitude is something each of us can cultivate daily to enrich our lives. If we’re blogging, on a piece of technology (even if WP drives us crazy, Dan), we are blessed. If we share photos that we took with a camera or phone, we are blessed. If we show photos of meals we ate, or if we ate today, we are blessed. If we have blogging friends, whether in person or virtually, we are blessed. If we got gifts at Christmas or couldn’t think of anything we wanted, let alone needed, we are truly blessed.
So as 2020 rolls around, welcome it with open arms! Let’s look forward to the challenges, joys, and opportunities. Take photos, write blog posts, letters, and cards, hug people, enjoy food and music, learn a language, grow a garden, visit somewhere new or see an old favorite place with new eyes, bless others.
Thanks for being part of the journey with me. I raise an overflowing glass to you! May 2020 bring you many blessings and much happiness!
This, that and the other thing 
If WP is a pain, look into Open Office, free and open-sourced, full spectrum – has similars to word, spreadsheets, etc… google and get it, download and use.
As for the glass, mine is 1/2 full with the potential to be full.
Scott
Thanks for the Open Office info, Scott. I’m happy to read about your glass. May it always stay that way. Happy 2020.
janet
Thank you!
I’ll always be a “half full” guy. 😀
All the best wishes for you and yours, Janet. 🙂
That’s good to read, Drake, and all the best to you and yours as well in this upcoming year.
Wise words Janet. Wishing you success in your 2020 adventures.
Thanks, Su. Any adventures coming your way?
I think 2020 will be a big year, one way or another, so yes, I guess there will be adventures Janet.
so full, I sometimes spill it. happy 2020!
That’s the best! Pour it out on everyone!
Bigger than life!
❤️. Good to read!
Here’s to a 2020 that exceeds all your expectations.
Thanks, Judy, and to you as well. Thinking of you today as it’s cold here with a bit of snow on the ground. Just enough, I hasten to add, to make it look nice but not be a problem.
My instinct is usually to see the half-empty glass, but I’ve been purposefully practicing gratitude since November (Thanksgiving Day, actually) and my glass is filling. I look forward to 2020! 🙂
Daily intentional gratitude is the cure for many problems, so good for you! I pray your glass is soon overflowing!
janet
May your glass runneth over in 2020!
There’s an extra day, so chances are it will.
Sending the best of cheer for the new year! – Resa
Thanks, Resa, and the same to you and yours.
I am always a glass half full girl and willing to share to those whose are getting empty. Happy New Year to you and yours!
Sharing is good!
Nice , happy New year to you and your family
Thanks!
janet
I’m excited to hear about your plan! Right now, I’m looking at bright sun and the bluest sky imaginable, watching an entire herd of deer wander around our front yard. And I’m happy. One of those wonderful moments when one is happy and, most importantly, aware of it. Happy New Year to you and yours!
And to you and yours as well. Once the sun rose (I got to the park a bit before sunrise), it was sunny and clear. I spotted a coyote at some distance and then four deer also quite far away. It was a wonderful way to start the day.
It’s a good quote. I like it very much. I find your application of the sentiment true and good. Cultivating an attitude of gratitude is life-changing. I am blessed.
You are and we are as well. So thankful for those many blessings!
It sounds like the right move, hon. You just have to trust in it. I know you’ll be prepared for a few wobbles, Janet, but you have someone to wobble beside you. In no time we’ll be looking back on another year. I hope yours is as amazing as mine was. Sending hugs 🙂 🙂
Janet – so much wisdom in your words….
and sometimes the glass does get tipped – eh?
loved how you wrote about that.
also – our yoga teacher today said something so simple – yet profound – at the end of today’s class. Reminded me of your words…
he said to be grateful for the culture we have and certain other things – and then said – “be grateful we have free access to spiritual teachings” and whew – we chatted not he ride home about how we take freedom of religion for grated – but very glad for it.
__
need to again say how awesome this was:
If we’re blogging, we are blessed.
If we share photos that we took with a camera or phone, we are blessed.
If we show photos of meals or if we ate today, we are blessed.
If we have blogging friends, whether in person or virtually, we are blessed.
If we got gifts at Christmas or couldn’t think of anything we wanted, let alone needed, we are truly blessed.
Thanks very much, Yvette. So many of our “problems” are what we like to call “first world problems.” We should be thankful for that type of problem! Yes, freedom to practice the religion you choose is something to cherish and protect. Look at what’s happening in China and in other places as well. In fact, just having the freedom to peacefully protest, not Antifa-like protests, is an enormous blessing, one we should never take for granted and always work to maintain.
Good points – although some folks say that the private churches in China – that meet between walls or sneak away to memorize verses – well they might be rocking the heavily realm more than our Country Club churches in the freedom of religion places.
chuck swindle always said that Christians can be more effective with a bit of persecution.
and oh my goodness does the American church bother me at times. I know we are the church and bring our sanctuary with us – think we both know that as we have a living faith that is not on Sundays only…
but too often the American church today is exclusive with snobby people –
—
and the thing about first world problems – they can still be legit issues and so don;’t want too minimize the impact these topics have on people.
some folks need to go on a mission trip of need to visit places like Nicaragua to see how bless they are – and to appreciate the things you noted here. not everyone need to go somewhere to see that – but some need a boot in the head.
I do agree that persecution often helps turn people to God, but it’s still persecution, torture a/o death, in many places. It’s also true that first world problems can still be actual problems and need to be dealt with. However, being in the “first world” does mean we should consider how many blessings we have, even if they bring problems, such as the internet.
So true on both accounts –
😊🙏