The Power of the Mind

Over on Tiffany's blog, you can learn about a FABULOUS contest, as well as Fishful Thinking.

Fishful Thinking is a website geared at encouraging children to concentrate on the positive things in life and to be optimistic, teaching them that they are able to accomplish anything they want to. Now, after reading a little about Fishful Thinking, I got to thinking about my own attitude. Am I glass half empty or a glass half full kinda gal? According to people close to me, I'm probably a somewhat negative person. I have a tendency to dwell on upcoming events (aka work, ICU months, call nights) and allow that to affect me for a couple days beforehand at times. When I have a bad day, it's the negative things I remember and concentrate on - not the positive things.

However, at the same time, I've accomplished a lot in my twenty-eight years and I'm very proud of it. I came from a family with limited resources. My parents were pregnant with me when they were still in high school - resulting in a marriage, divorce, and lack of college educations for both of my parents in their early lives. Research shows that most children of teenage parents also become teenage parents. Despite all of that, I've somehow made it through high school without getting pregnant, graduated from a fantastic private college with honors, shockingly got accepted to a reputable medical school, and am now pursuing the career I've always dreamt of. I realize I can have anything I want out of life. And, I plan to get everything I want out of life.

So, how is it that a person like me is so negative? It's true. I am. I'm cranky and moody. Bad things happen and I dwell and smolder and make more bad things happen. Most of the time I'm happy, outgoing, and easy to get along with. But, on a bad day - watch out, folks. But, then again, isn't it ok to have a bad day? How is it that some people always seem happy-go-lucky and positive? Do bad things just not happen to those peoeple? Or, do they somehow find a way to make the bad things good things?

Ok, wow. That was deep. I need an Advil. ;)