A Glass Half Full

I believe in happiness and enjoying every moment in life. I adopted this lifestyle after my favorite uncle passed away and when I moved to a different country.

Although my uncle had a relatively short life, he was able to make all his childhood dreams come true. His optimistic outlook on life became an example for me to follow. When I was younger he used to tell me “enjoy everything you do and be grateful for anything you get to do.” I remember that obstacles never limited him from enjoying life; he never lost his sense of humor. He taught me that failure ensured a new beginning, not an end. Because of my age and immaturity level at that time, his words and actions were meaningless. Time has allowed me to reflect upon his death but, most importantly, how he lived his life. As the years passed his words became very meaningful to me until they emerged as my way of living life. His death taught me to enjoy life simply because I am alive and because it is not eternal. He strongly believed that optimism and happiness was the road to success; he proved it through his business and loving nature.

Moving to a different country was a difficult process because it implied restarting, like being born again in a different culture, language and people. It allowed me to adapt a new lifestyle to my new philosophy of life. Although I strongly believed in being optimistic, the cultural difference presented itself as a barrier to develop my ideas. Now instead of dwelling on what I am deprived from, I look for ways to not lose something. My only sister recently went to college in Mexico at first I thought I would be very depressed. Instead I found a way to communicate with her as often as possible and instead of counting the days she has been gone, I count the days until she comes home.

My uncle’s death taught me more than I could have ever imagined; my outlook on life can be either pessimistic or optimistic. Being optimistic leaves a sense of fulfillment and happiness in me and although life may be short, it will feel like an eternity because I will have enjoyed every single moment of it.