As yet another year ends, I contemplate how things are going. As always, I hope next year will be better.
As far as 2007 goes, I have certainely seen far worse years. And, like many, I have seen better years.
I have never considered myself an optimist of a pessimist, but a realist. So while many things in my life are not great, I consider how they could be worse. My life is FAR BETTER than most of the 6-7 BILLION people on this planet.
My part time (and only) job cut shifts back from 6 hours to 4. I make $60 a week less now. However, many people doing what I do lost their jobs. I also have a good job prospect for 2008. My glass is half full.
I'm 41 years old, and NEED 2 roomates to pay the bills, as I cannot afford a 1 bedroom place. However, there are many people who are homeless, or live in unsafe neighborhoods. I also live in sunny California, not in a COLD EAst Coast state, where I HATED winter. My glass is half full.
I have NO health insurance, and have had a hernia for over 1 year. However, my condition isn't life threatening, and I can physically do most of the things I want to do. Many are in far worse shape than I. A young girl WITH health insurance died in part because of a greedy insurance company. My glass is half full.
I've been single for YEARS. However, unlike many single people, I am content being single. If I never have another partner, I will not feel I missed something. And if I do, I will consider it a pleasant surprise. I have a wonderul dog and great friends. My sister found out her husband of nearly 20 years, and the father of her 3 kids has been cheating on her. I will likely never face that kind of pain. My glass is half full.
I'm an atheist/agnostic in a country where many people feel the need to profess their "faith". As far as I know, I have never been discriminated against because of this. I have religious friends. We each accept the others view, and don't try to change it. Atheists/agnostics were recently "dissed" by Mitt Romney in his "religious TOLERANCE" speech. Howeveratheists in countries like in Iraq or Iran face far worse situations. My glass is half full.
I am gay in a country that has one party use us as scapegoats for all the ills of America. Why gays, not heterosexuals who divorce, etc, are the cause for the breakdown of America's traditional families. Yet my sister faces a cheating husband, and my gay brother just celebrated 20 years with his partner. However, in many places gays are making inroads in equality of the eyes of the law. And surveys show the younger generation is far more accepting of gay rights. As the older generation dies off, gay rights will continue to make inroads. My glass is half full.
The Democratic congress has not produced as much as I wanted. They did not end the war. However, SOME SUNLIGHT has been shined into the wrongdoings of the Bush Administration BECAUSE of the Democratic takeover of congress. We DID see the first raise in minimum wage in 10 years. And our prospects for BOTH hose of Congress, the Presidency, and many statewide races looks great for an election 11 months away. My glass is half full.