All the world’s a stage,
And all the men and women merely players… 
Shakespeare

On the stage of life almost twelve months have evaporated quickly and a scant five days remain before 2012 is a year that was.  I look forward to a new start; a new beginning the birth of a brand new year brings.  The attitude I “act” with on the stage of the coming new year is near completely within my control.  I can choose to play a character filled self-encouragement and motivation, or I can act out a part filled with self defeat and pity.  It’s up to me. 

Anticipating the New Year, there is no doubt it will contain new chapters of hard times, hurt feelings, grief, heartache, physical pain and emotional distress.  Life is ALWAYS difficult, but it is ALWAYS GOOD too.   I know 2012 will also contain love, joy, happiness, laughter, friendship, and good times.  .  It is my choice whether what I speak to myself is optimistic or pessimistic. 

“The Pessimist” by Ben King
Nothing to do but work,
Nothing to eat but food,
Nothing to wear but clothes,
To keep one from going nude.

Nothing to breathe but air,
Quick as a flash it’s gone;
Nowhere to fall but off;
Nowhere to stand but on.

Nothing to comb but hair,
Nowhere to sleep but bed,
Nothing to weep but tears,
Nothing to bury to dead.
 
Nothing to sing but songs,
Ah, well!  Alas! A lack!
Nowhere to go but out,
Nowhere to come but back.

Nothing to read but words,
Nothing to cast but votes,
Nothing to hear but sounds,
Nothing to sail but boats.

Nothing to see but sights,
Nothing to quench but thirst,
Nothing to have but what we’ve got,
Thus though life we are cursed.

Nothing to strike but a gait,
Everything moves that goes,
Nothing at all but commonsense,
Can ever withstand these woes.

From “Hustle and Grin”– Anonymous
(A Lesson in Optimism and Pessimism)
Nothing to do but work,
Smile, and the world smiles with you;
Knock, and you go it alone;
For the cheerful grin
Will let you in
Where the kicker is never known.

Growl, and the way looks dreary;
Laugh, and the path is bright;
For a welcome smile
Brings sunshine, while
A frown shuts out the light.

Sigh, and you rake in nothing;
Work, and the prize is won;
For the nervy man
With backbone can
By nothing be outdone.

Hustle, and fortune may bless you;
Quit, and defeat is sure;
For there’s no chance
Of deliverance
For the man who can’t endure.

I can lament living many of my past days as a pessimist and cut out more hours of that sort for my life.  Or I can choose the optimist’s path where every day is a good day (even the most difficult ones).   I am grateful to have learned well and practice often what Ella Wheeler Wilcox wrote:  Say you are well, or all is well with you and God shall hear your words and make them true.  

The only true disability in life is a bad attitude. 
Scott Hamilton