Half full? Half empty?
We all know that an empty cup can be depressing. A full cup can be exhilarating. An overflowing cup overwhelming. So, by default, a half-filled cup should be satisfying. Contentment.
But right now? During these frightening and challenging times? If you have a cup, you should be grateful. Even if it’s a slightly cracked and worn mug. So many are struggling to survive financially. So many are struggling to survive emotionally. So many are fighting for their very lives against a virus that is neither discriminatory nor forgiving. These are troubled times and troubled times demand we take a fresh look at our cup with the love and respect and gratefulness it deserves.
My spouse and I share a cup and we feel like it’s full. We list ourselves among the most fortunate. While she has been laid off until her employer can reopen, I have not. She had to file for unemployment but was persistent and unrelenting against a broken and overwhelmed unemployment system and – finally – succeeded. We have money coming in and can pay our bills. We are financially stable. More importantly, we have our health. We are careful. We know the risks are greater for us as we are both over 60.
Here’s the thing though: cups are relative. Not all are the same. To those less fortunate, our cup may appear to be overflowing. To us it’s just right. To the rich it probably appears sadly lacking. To the poorest of the poor, wondering how to put food on the table tomorrow or pay their rent, they are envious we have a cup.
Perspective. We all need perspective right now. We need to be grateful for whatever our cup looks like and however much is inside. If we can, we should offer help. If we can’t, we should offer solace. Compassion. Empathy. Most of all, we need to understand that sometimes the line between survival and ethics becomes blurred. We need to understand that some who want to go back to work are simply concerned with wanting to feed their families and pay their rent. It’s incredibly difficult to look into a cup once filled, or even partially filled, and now see emptiness. Or to long for the cup you once had, but have no longer.
Look at your cup. Hold it. Treasure it. Appreciate the cup and the contents. There will always be those with bigger, fancier, fuller cups, and there will always be those with chipped, unremarkable, empty cups or no cup at all. Share what you can and be grateful for what you have. Always.
Namaste 🙏
~jwb~