Finally brothers, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and there be any praise, think on these things. (Philippians 4: 8)

The pessimist will see a glass filled to the half-way mark with water as being half empty, while the optimist see it as being half full. And the optimistically creative person will see it as a vase for a rosebud, the optimistic pragmatist as a means of quenching thirst, and the optimistic priest as water to bless for a baptism!

Consider for a moment, the benefits of choosing the optimistic route as described in this short poem:

Two frogs fell into a deep cream bowl,

One was an optimistic soul;

But the other took the gloomy view,

“I shall drown,” he cried, “and so will you”

So with a last despairing cry,

He closed his eyes and said “Good-bye.”

But the other frog, with a merry grin

Said, “I can’t get out, but I won’t give in!

I’ll swim around ‘til my strength is spent.

For having tried, I’ll die content.”

Bravely he swam until it would seem

His struggles began to churn the cream.

On top of the butter at last he stopped

And out of the bowl he happily hopped.

What is the moral? It’s easily found.

If you can’t get out–keep swimming around.

Precious Creator, give us the strength not to give up in the face of adversity, for You are always with us!