Subscription Lists

The past several days have seen ample rainfall to the point of flooding here in parts of the Bluegrass. My yard has that wonderful green hue to it but it also is getting a bit long and does need some manicuring. The rain has affected other things as well. At McDonald's it has dampened the spirits of some of the workers as they see no real reason to be excited about getting off work in the early to mid afternoon. When people are disappointed they tend to get a little testy at times. That little bit of edge can spill over into service. Conquering that feeling is a matter of attitude.

A very fine young man named Marty Clough has been my workmate for the first two days of my McDonald's experience. He is a very upbeat guy and he and I work seemingly very well together, swapping off the order taking and money taking responsibilities at the drive thru. Tuesday when it was raining in Lexington I was taking the orders. At one point I heard the headset cue that someone was at the drive thru order station. It was time to hopefully help to lift some of the dismal feeling that was permeating the customers we were serving.

I said, "Good morning, my name is Tom. How can I help you this fine beautiful sundrenched day?" The voice at the other end replied, "Got news for ya, Tom ole buddy, it ain't sunny." I responded with, "Sure it is. You just have to look past the clouds." Marty told me that a lot of people are the "glass is half empty" type of people. After reflecting on that comment I have come to the conclusion that there are people who see the glass as half full, those who see the glass as half empty and those who are positive the glass is broken and will never be full no matter what.

Those who teach leaders to be better leaders lean hard on the attitude of the person they are training. A poor or negative attitude can lead to defeatism and failure. However, the attitude that the glass is half full conveys that sense of expectancy that can mean success. I want to add something to that attitude of the glass is half full. Those who possess the best attitude don't just see the glass as half full but they see the glass as huge and the supply it holds as seemingly inexhaustible. This is the attitude that sees only opportunities and not problems.

Jesus, in dealing with the father of a demoniac son whom the disciples had failed to heal, told the helpless father, "If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes." Mark 9:23 Jesus couched that belief in the proper context when the rich, young ruler failed the test of salvation. As the disciples asked who could possibly be saved, Jesus answered, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." Mark 19:26 The true believers who fully trust in God are those whose attitude is that of the enormous half full glass. The question is to you; "How big is your half full glass?"

"'Winging It" from Stan Smith

The Fulfilling Marriage