Half Empty vs. Half Full

"I cannot bear it!" said the pewter soldier. "I have shed pewter tears! It is too melancholy! Rather let me go to the wars and lose arms and legs! It would at least be a change. I cannot bear it longer! Now, I know what it is to have a visit from one's old thoughts, with what they may bring with them! I have had a visit from mine, and you may be sure it is no pleasant thing in the end; I was at last about to jump down from the drawers." - Hans Christian Andersen

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Sometimes tears come from nowhere. They surprise me. They are unexpected, especially on a particularly good and busy day. I am reminded of the story of 'The Old House' by Hans Christian Anderson and the two pewter soldiers. In this story, there is an old house owned by an old man situated in the middle of homes that were new or updated. This old man refused to change his house and the townspeople did not understand.

A little boy in the village had two pewter soldiers and asked that one be delivered to the old man who seemed so very lonely. The old man was touched and asked if the young boy could come to visit him. The young boy befriended the old man and had the rare privilege of seeing the old house and the pewter soldier through the eyes of the old man as he shared a glimpse of the memories present in the house. The old man's memories and stories were triggered by the young boy's gift, for the old man had a pewter soldier when he was a young boy.

This story speaks of how easy it is for judgment to be passed because of the narcissitic nature of being human. On a day like today, I am very aware of what is different now and, perhaps, those random tears represent a little 'leftover grieving' stimulated by observing the ease with which others accomplish tasks that seem monumental now. Or, perhaps the tears come as a quiet celebration of the gift of time and ability I have been given in spite of the physical toll recognized as this day comes to a close. Half empty or half full? The choice of perception is mine, just as it was for the little boy.