Well? What do you think? Is it half full or half empty?
Do you see a gray cloudy day or blue skies?
Is the task before you huge and daunting?
Or are you ready to dig in?
Of course, your perspective will be affected by where you are…
…where you’re going…
…or your current situation in life.
Timing can certainly affect your perspective.
When you have no control over certain events, you can still choose the lens through which you look.
Will this injury leave a horrible scar or provide material for a good story to tell the relatives back home?
Is this an obstacle to folding clean laundry, or the cutest kid in the world?
Do you feel the damp and see the darkness, or admire the view?
It’s not always this easy to find a happy place….
…or even the light at the end of the tunnel.
Sometimes you have to write yourself a better ending.
It helps to have someone who understands.
Who can lend a hand.
Who can help you put things in perspective.
If you can’t change your path, then do whatever the hell it takes to change your perspective.
Sometimes the glass really is half empty, but who says you can’t fill up the darn thing? In fact, fill up another one too, for a friend.
All images and words copyright 2013 Naomi Baltuck.
Click here for more interpretations of The Weekly Travel Theme: Refreshing.
Writing Between the Lines 
Such a lovely post! Thank you for sharing your thoughts & photos 🙂
Thank you, Kathy! Thanks for sharing yours too. It is always so good to hear form you!
Enjoyed your words and musings as well as the photographs. It will linger in my mind as I consider perspective, I have been doing “forced perspective” with my classes and your trowel photo is a perfect example!
Hi Ruth,
I have been waiting for the right moment to dust off those photos, which were simply amusing to me. I am delighted that you will find them useful!
Right on, sister! I want to take responsibility for filling my own glass…and sit beside you and yours while you tell the tale of what it took to get it so full and sparkly. Together we’ll drink deeply!
Dear Scilla,
I am SO THERE with you! While I tell you all about sparkle, you can tell me where you find such deep wells of hope and wisdom to draw upon.
Love this exchange! Still enjoying sharing the stories of how we spend our time filling that glass. May it “runneth over”!
Hey, Priscilla! Thanks so much. May your cup always runneth over, with continuing joy and purpose, and inspiring stories that flow into the hearts and minds of us all.
So true! Whatever it takes!
Good advice. From a wise woman.
Dear Sue,
You are way too kind. Thanks so much for your visit, and your very generous response! Are you guys doing the countdown to summer?
We’ve been counting down for over three weeks now… 😀 10 more days! Wooo hooo!
That was great! Fill up the glass and enjoy what you have! 🙂
Thanks for stopping by, Becky. You can’t tell from there, but I am raising my glass to you right now.
Cheers to you!
Delightful – thanks!
Thank you, Cathryn!
The glass is half full, the skies are blue – the task is huge. Wait, maybe it’s not so huge. The view is lovely. Unless. I haven’t had enough sleep the night before. Then I take all of that back.
Dear Carol,
You made me laugh, even before I filled up my glass! So good to hear from you. You are the queen Mum of Glass Full, and my hero!
I really like your post. Great job of putting photos with ideas to express the concept of perspective.
Thank you, Pat! It’s way too much fun. I could spend all day doing this and never run out of ideas. I appreciate your perspective!
I’d say the glass looks. . . delicious. Yum!
I enjoyed the post. It was a great reminder that we determine how we approach life and what we do with its circumstances and events.
Thanks for writing it up and for the wonderful photos to illustrate it. Your kids make great models!
Nancy
Dear Nancy,
Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts, and your lovely words about the kids. We are going to have another family trip next summer, and I will have lots more good photo ops then, I’m sure.
It’s probably a good thing (for you) that they’re a captive audience! Although they certainly don’t seem to mind – they’re good kids.
Love it. I’m a half full kind of person, but I love how you weave the range of questions that subtly refer to the half-empty/half full analogy. Life, indeed, is all attitude. I love yours.
I love that about you too, Sabrina. And I appreciate the fact that you always find an interesting new perspective on every subject. Thanks so much for the visit, and for sharing your thoughts.
Words and pictures – another great Naomi storyboard! I’ll fill mine too and wander on by … 🙂
Thanks, Meredith! I look forward to it!
Loved this one Naomi. And definitely loved the before/after road sign LOL.
Hi Tina,
That was a New Zealand warning sign about giant cassowaries, big birds like ostriches, and extremely aggressive. The “doctored” sign really cracked me up too.
You know something, Naomi? I like YOUR lens!
Dear Tess,
That is really about the nicest thing you could say! Thank you so much!
This is wonderful, Naomi! It certainly puts a lot of things into perspective 😀
Hi Dianne
Thanks so much. I appreciate your visit, and taking the time to comment.
You really are good at putting the right words to the right picture, Naomi. 🙂
Hi Maggie!
Thanks for the visit. Blogging has helped me find this new way to share an idea or a story, and I really have fun using visual aids!
Beautiful collection of ways to posivly look at the world.
Thank you, Carol! It’s always good to hear from you.
Just finished the nightshift and read your post which has lightened my heart considerably – have a good day too Naomi
Dear Dallas,
That really is about the nicest thing anyone could say to me. I hope your day is a good one, and then your dreams are sweet.
I love the way you get your point across. 🙂
HI Patti,
Thank you–that’s so good to hear. I sure appreciate your dropping in, and starting my day off with such a positive thought.
I should like to send you a bigger glass 🙂
Dear Footsy,
I should like to send you a bigger hug! You really made me smile this morning. Thanks so much.
Naomi, your posts lately have been so heart warming and this is no exception. I try awfully hard with the rose coloured glasses but a post like yours has to pin a big smile on my face. Thank you! 🙂
Dear Jo,
Thank you so much for your very generous response. Sometimes the world throws tough stuff at us, and it takes more than rose-coloured glasses. Sometimes it’s stuff beyond our control, and then all you can change is the way you look at it. I am so grateful to you for coming on back for the next post, and for sharing your positive energy with me. Warm wishes to you and your exceptional family!
I love the two women carrying a bag together. That’s how it should be. That world is my world: kind and caring.
Love,
Micheline
Dear Micheline,
I think that’s why I love that photo so much–one snapshot tells the whole story. It’s how the world should be, and how I try to live my life. I can tell that your world is a warm and kind one, Micheline, because you make it so.
Love,
Naomi
Dear Naomi,
I try to make it so. It seems it’s always one person at a time. Your world is beautiful.
Take good care of yourself.
Micheline
Dear Micheline,
Thank you for your very kind thoughts.
Take good care of yourself too.
Love,
Naomi
That is such a clever way to sharing your thoughts and beautiful, fun photos! Thank you, Naomi!
Hi Amy,
Thanks for the visit, and the very kind words. So nice to hear from you. I hope you are well.
Wonderful food for thought. LOVE the photos. You always warm my heart and remind me that the glass IS half full, even on a half empty day….. thanks, Naomi ♥
Dear Paula,
Thanks so much for your kind words. I expect that in the aftermath of the tornado, it is hard to see anything beyond a shattered glass. But I know you are a glass full kind of gal, and you take the time and trouble to fill up everyone else’s glass too.
You know, Naomi, that was just what I needed to read, sitting here at the computer, missing yet another music rehearsal because my voice has been zapped by hayfever.
Thanks to your wise words, I’m now looking out of my office window at 7.30 in the evening, admiring the beauty of the lilac and ignoring its pollen’s physical assault upon my airways.
A most mentally-balancing post and wonderful photos 🙂
Hi Sarah,
Hayfever is one of the gifts of spring that people don’t like to think about. I hope it will go away with the spring blossoms and summertime will be easier, and then you can raise up your voice in celebration. My husband’s hay fever stays only as long as the alders and Scotch Broom are pollinating, but he is miserable when he is in the midst of it.
Thanks so much for your very kind words. So nice to hear from you.
No problems out there that can’t be solved by filling up two empty glasses 🙂 Great job as always Naomi.
Dear Madhu,
Your comment made me smile. I am lifting my full coffee mug in a toast to you. Thanks so much for your visit, and for, as always, your encouragement.
Lovely. But wine glasses are tricky — because a full one is always only half full. Otherwise you can’t remember what you’re drinking when you get to the bottom.
That’s a funny thought, Elyse!
This was another amazing post. You are so good at combining such great images with your words, but I really loved this one on perspective and attitude. So true!! I can just picture you sorting through hundreds of pictures until you find the right ones. Great post!!
Dear Arlene,
Thank you! It’s kind of like putting together a jigsaw puzzle, looking through photos with the theme in mind, but not quite sure how it will all come together, not quite sure exactly what I want to say. When I go through the photos–there are 30,000 on my computer and I download more each time I travel or have a party–it’s like spending time with the kids, or revisiting my favorite places or events. The posts are reminders to myself, as much as to my readers, but I’m so glad that other people find them enjoyable or useful.
Love this, Naomi! I wanted to get back to you on Peru info…Found out our Mountain Lodges of Peru http://www.mountainlodgesofperu.com/home.html deal books out a six months in advance. But We spent 2 days in Cusco and took a cooking class (a half day affair) that was fabulous. I strongly recommend. It was truly a highlight of our trip. Erick happens to own two of the best restaurants in town. The one where the class is held offers the finest rooftop views available…Here is the link http://www.cuzcodining.com/cooking-classes.htm
Like I said, you will enjoy this spectacular destination regardless of which specific journey you take. Enjoy!! 🙂
Thank you! I just forwarded this information to my son, who really enjoyed taking a Turkish cooking class. He is mostly vegetarian, so it might not work out, but it sounds great. We have lined up an Amazon River experience, and will also visit Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley, and Lake Titicaca. Did the altitude affect you adversely?
We gave ourselves two days to acclimate in Cusco and drank coca tea & lots of water. 🙂 We took no special meds and our guides were happy about that as most dehydrate you — which is NOT what you want. Other than a few dull headaches and periodic shortness of breath (which may have had to do more with fitness level than altitude — ha!) we were perfectly fine. Regarding Erick’s cooking class, I’m sure he would be happy to cater to a vegetarian diet — very cool, 35-year-old guy. The produce market there was spectacular, like nothing I’ve ever seen. You will love Machu Picchu. We ended there very early in the morning to watch the sunrise. Do this if possible, before the crowds arrive. We drove through the sacred valley and it looked like a lovely/quaint place to spend a few days. Missed the lake. Can’t wait to hear about your adventure… 🙂
My son wrote back about the cooking class and said, “Let’s DO it!” So I will contact your friend and see if we can arrange it. Thank you so much for this tip. I’ll keep you posted.
Yay! Tell him Shauna & Mark Dickinson recommended him. He’s a wise Peruvian man — he married a good Midwestern girl from Ohio! 🙂 You’ll meet her. Have fun!
Beautiful post. The older I get the more I see things as half-full. And when i was a kid I used to love curling up in warm clothes from the dryer.
Me too! I loved the fresh clean smell of them, and as a little kid would bury myself in a pile of clothes just out of the dryer. I think that’s why I was so amused and touched when my big teenaged girl did it. I probably need to do it more often.
amazing photographs and writing. Thank you dear Naomi, have a nice weekend, love, nia
Thank you, Nia! I hope your weekend is a good one too! Thanks for your visit, and your encouragement.
Love,
Naomi
Your post, as always, really made me smile, Naomi. Love the positivity, and your pics are amazing, especially the one with the view from the dark cavern. 🙂
Dear Sylvia,
Thanks so much for your visit, and your thoughtful comments. It helps to know I’m on track, and I love to hear which photos are favorites–everyone picks a different one, and that is so interesting to me.
Congratulations! I’ve nominated you for the Liebster Award.
I L-O-V-E your blog. Stay awesome and more power to you!
Just go to this link: http://aprofessionaleavesdropper.wordpress.com/2013/05/23/liebster-award-nomination/
Thank you so much. I am honored, and gratefully accept this nomination. L-O-V-E to you and your awesome blog!
You’re most welcome! Thank you 🙂
Excellent take on the theme.
Thank you!
I second the nomination for the Liebster Award! The photos elicit positive/pensive emotional responses, tender and deep, and probably are special and unique for each one of us. Thanks for sharing your heart and your expertise, Naomi.
Dear Marion,
You are a dear! Thank you so much for your visit, and for your very kind response. I value them both.
This is quintessential Naomi:
A modern day morality “play” with no shortage of charm and fun.
Thanks for laying in a gaggle of posts for me to work with on Bardo.
Appreciated.
Dear Jamie,
Thanks so much for the visit. I thought I’d work a head to give you a choice of posts for Bardo. I have just loved with working with you on that.
Love, love love it! ‘Twas a perfect post for me today 🙂
Dear Beth,
Thank you so much for stopping by, and lifting my spirits with your generous response. So good to hear from you! Hope you are well.
I love how you turned it around at the end. Sometimes I think we are made to feel guilty if we don’t see something as half full instead of half empty, but the point is – we are not helpless here. As long as we can afford the bottle – keep on pouring if you want to get that drunk! Then on the other hand, maybe we say, “But honey, I didn’t drink all that much, the glass was half EMPTY!” hahaha Perspective! Love your post! 🙂
Dear Marsha,
Thank you so much for your thoughtful response to this post. I like your creative solution!
🙂
Very clever and a balanced way of looking at life. It is all in the way you look at things whether you are happy or sad or successful or unsuccessful. Thanks
Thank you. Unfortunately, sometimes all you can change is your attitude, but that cam make all the difference. Thanks so much for your visit, and taking the time to comment.
Lovely!! Thanks for perspective . . . 😉
Dear Mary,
Thank you for stopping by. It is always good to hear from you!
Your stream of photos, with writings between, carried me emotionally into smiles and near-tears.
Thank you so much for your visit, and for taking the time to share your thoughts.
Thank you for connecting with me. I think these words hold a lot of meaning to me (and others, too!) I definitely see the glass half full but never thought about saying, “Please fill mine MORE!” And sharing is also special along the way in life. Take care, Robin
Hi Robin,
It has been my pleasure! Better yet, be pro-active and fill it up yourself. It is a lesson I must learn over and over again.
So nice to connect. Thank you for your visit–I love your voice.
Warmly,
Naomi
An enjoyable look at the various ways to look at life – perspective.
I choose today to look at it all positively. I believe that glass of wine you poured for me helped tremendously. Thank You.
~~~~ : – )
You have a wonderful energy and spirit, Isadora. Thanks for the follow. I look forward to following your blog as well. Cheers!
In response to your first photograph, it means, “I’ll have another!”
(Beautiful post!)
Loved the “If you can’t change your path, then do whatever the hell it takes to change your perspective.” 😀
Thank you, Kavi. So good to hear from you!
This post is like a glass of wine, to be sipped and savored. I enjoyed all the choices, usually will pick the positive, except when it comes to that task you mentioned… I like to procrastinate on those big ones! I am going back once in awhile to get perspective on my fellow bloggers! Catchy title, Naomi and great outlook, too! Smiles, Robin
Dear Robin,
You are so sweet! I know when I hear from you, it will always make me think about what you’ve written and also what I have written. I am right now trying to work my way through all the obstacles I have set up for myself, so that I can tackle the biggest project I’ve ever undertaken, short of childbirth, and it isn’t easy. I hope you can push through, Robin, on that task. I’m not there yet, but am really trying hard, and taking steps in the right direction.
Thanks so much for the visit, and for your thoughtful comment. Here’s wishing us both good luck, and the will to keep putting one foot in front of the other.
Sincerely,
Naomi
So very true-feeling (can’t say true for anyone but me!). I like that life can be a mix of it all, and that the glass can be both half full, half empty or just right in any given moment.
Thanks,
Deb
What a great thought. Thanks so much for the visit, and taking the time to share your perspective.
Warmly,
Naomi
Of course I have always loved ‘Christina’s World’. Had the print decades ago. Andrew Wyeth = wonderful. You = Wonderful. For me, too, the glass is always more than half filled. Optimism. Joy. Every day is a blessing. Love life. Smite. Turn that frown upside down. Keep commenting. Writing. Blogging. Pic-taking.
Thank you, Richard, and the same to you. Hugs to the family in your neck of the woods from all of us.