Wednesday, August 8, 2007

the (mostly) optimistic optometrist


I recently saw one of my all-time favorite patients. She's in her 90's, wears a jaunty hat, and often brings me squash. (How cool is that?!) She has developed some significant visual challenges, but does remarkably well due (at least in part, I think) to her really positive attitude.

When I saw an internet quiz on 'optimism' tonight, I thought I'd see how I stack up in the 'glass half full vs. half empty' department.

While I wasn't Pollyanna (missed that category by a point!), my results were pretty positive:

Sunshine with patchy fog: Everything's coming up roses--most of the time. Your outlook is optimistic, but you tend to think more positively in the short term rather than in the long run. You see the good side of the present moment but don't necessarily incorporate that into your overall attitude.

Hmm... I'm not quite sure what that means. Do I go around thinking: "Ah, this flower is soooo lovely... but, *sigh* it will ultimately wither and die." ???

Anywhooo.... you can take the "How Optimistic Are You?" quiz HERE.

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cartoon above by Doug Savage. See his website HERE.

13 comments:

marie said...

I would take the test, but when pondering "half empty/half full", I can't even find the glass.

Lori said...

Those chickens look like Homer Simpson!!!

Your all time favorite patient likely made it to 90 because of her positive attitude. Good for her!!!

(took the quiz....not tellin....hee hee)

Diane M. Roth said...

great insights and great cartoon, I'll have to take the quiz, too.

I love the story about your patient. I have som parishoners like that, too.

94 year old woman still lives in her home.

Rev SS said...

I took it too, those who know me probably won't be surprised at my results: "Bright sunshine: Life is great--and it will continue that way! Not only do you tend to find the silver lining in every cloud, you also believe that silver lining will stick around for the long term."

There's a line in a song that says it well "Life is what you make it!"

Terri said...

I took it, got the same result as Serena...

Love the cartoon.

Barbara B. said...

Who else besides me is curious about presbyterian gal's results?!

Diane M. Roth said...

yes, I'm curious too... seems kinda mean not to tell

Barbara B. said...

exactly, diane!!! :)

Jan said...

Cartoon is funny and true. . . I find myself telling me such things. What a good example of living in sunshine is your patient! That reminds me of going to the Elizabeth Seton shrine in MD last January--the cemetary had crosses of the sisters with their ages--the majority were in their 90s. This will be one of the many little tests I'll take when I return to TX!

Diane M. Roth said...

btw, Barb, I'm "sunshine with patchy fog" too...right now, maybe a little patchy... summer's getting over a little too quickly for me...

Barbara B. said...

diane, welcome to my 'sunshine with patchy fog' club! :)

Diane M. Roth said...

I'm a joiner, aren't you?

Barbara B. said...

LOL Diane!