Of Positives and Negatives

This glass is half empty

Soon there will be none,

This glass is half full

I still have some.

Outlook is critical

It may impress or depress,

Yes, how you view that glass

May encourage or distress.

She already knows she can’t

Even though she didn’t try,

He believes he can

And the odds he can defy.

Disappointment is a lesson

And experience is the teacher,

Appointment is just a ‘Dis’ away

Make use of this feature.

Sometimes it will be rain

And the chickens will complain

But the ducks will be happy

Their reason to be is plain.

Look at the woman in labour

With birth pains galore,

Then out comes a wonderful result

What could delight her more?

It is quite obvious to me

In every negative is a positive

And at every step of the way

The two of them are relative.

Take the barking of a dog

Negative I hear you say

But then on investigation

The prowler couldn’t have his way.

Or the man who has no shoes

O that could never be a treat

But then he meets another man

Whose shoes would have no feet.

There is no gain without pain

Is a saying I often use

When long hours on the keyboard

Bring aches to the body I abuse.

A sip of concentrated lime juice-

Now that’s negative, definitely

But add a little sugar water

That‘s delightful, quite simply.

Something could be negative

When taken at first glance

But when consolation is brought in

Then the positive is enhanced.

Life is full of negatives

But there are some positives too

And the way you respond to each

Will determine the path for you.

If the negative throws you down

To the extent you don’t get up

Then the negative will take control

The positive won’t be your cup.

  

If on the other hand, however

The negative is a stepping stone

Then there will be progress

As the positive sets the tone.

Two last examples I will use

As I try to make my case,

The first was considered negative

But was positive for the human race.

Jesus came to earth to die...

Negative his disciples had said

But were it not for his shed blood

We all would be eternally dead.

The second relates to life in general

With all its ups and downs

Negative that is followed by positive

Is the way to get around.

However, do note on the other side

When outlook is only negative

That’s the recipe for a useless life

In which there is little positive. 

So be positive in the negative

Never succumb to its scourge

For even as death may take us out

Look to heaven I urge!

Stewart Russell © 2016