A Q&A with a Glass Half Full

What do you think people imagine when they think of you? What exactly are you half full of?

Great question. It’s different for everybody. For some, they imagine me filled with blessings. Others imagine me filled with something more tangible like OJ. I think it depends on your personality and mood. Maybe you’re just really thirsty and see water, but that same glass of water could be a pensive person’s muse for self-reflection, you know? (*shrugs*) You see, my fullness is in the eye of the beholder. When I look in the mirror every morning, I see sunshine, or, if I’m a little down (I have those days, too), I see a cloud but with a silver lining of course!

What’s it like to be associated with positivity? What if you wake up on the wrong side of the bed?

I love this association! I see it as my duty to always look on the bright side of life—does that not make everyone start singing that Monty Python song? (*whistles*) Being a cylinder, the odds that I roll off on the “wrong” side of the bed are as probable as rolling off on the “good” side. Managing to land on my bottom is a feat in itself, so it doesn’t really matter which side I end up on—I’m just glad to be up and going for breakfast. How’s that for some half-full logic? (*winks*)

Is a glass half empty your arch nemesis?

Glass Half Empty is actually my twin, and we have a complicated relationship. We have the same exact physical traits, but we think very differently. Glass Half Empty—Empty, for short—has always seen themselves as “less than.” They even considered getting a tattoo of that math symbol—you know, the one that looks like an alligator’s mouth opening to the right (<). That was when we were 18. I managed to convince them that etched glass would be pretty painful, and alas, the tattoo never happened. But of course, they are still a Debbie Downer. I think Empty is good for those moments when you need something to take up your negative energy. That means that emptiness gets full of something! There I go with that full logic again. It’s only human to have those moments of looking on the dark side, but when you’re ready to see the other side, you know who to call.

What happens if you get knocked down?

I get up again! That song is on my workout playlist. Yes, I work out! Staying in shape does not come naturally, you know. I stay toned so you have something solid to hold on to. Solidarity, my human! Then I usually need a mop to clean up. But I’m used to this routine because I’m pretty clumsy. All my friends call me Lil’ Spills.

Have you heard of the coronavirus taking the world by storm? What do you make of it?

Well, that’s a tough one because it’s tragic from all angles. More people are getting sick, more people are dying, and humans are having to distance themselves from each other. But I do see some good. I see that there’s this human connection around a shared understanding of social distancing—you know, let’s stay apart so that we can stay together. What a beautiful sense of irony. I also hear—from kitchen cupboards everywhere—that people are reaching out, checking in on each other, sending virtual hugs, having virtual hang outs, and doing what they can to help small businesses that are trying to stay afloat in the tanking economy. This time of human suffering is when Empty thrives, but I see so much light. People are saving lives by following public health guidance. These small things have huge impact! So, from the half-full perspective, yes, the world is suffering, but it’s only getting stronger as humans fight for humanity. You got this, humans! Consider your glass cups your personal at-home cheer squad. We can’t do high kicks, but we do make a great pyramid.

If you could give the world one piece of advice, what would it be?

See the good. And wash your hands before you pick me up!