yes, it's all for the best

Today we went into the city for Samy's 8th birthday party. We had planned a small "extravaganza" at American Girl Place in NY. Samy got to invited 4 friends to lunch at the AG cafe; the dolls were to have hair makeovers at the AG salon, and then we'd come home for presents.

We whizzed to the Lincoln Tunnel and then things started to go wrong. Just as we were about to enter the tunnel, a car caught fire inside the tunnel, all lanes were closed, and emergency vehicles hurried in. After 1/2 hour, all was clear, thankfully no-one was hurt, the police opened up the tunnels and we started through. But then one of the cars in front of us overheated and stopped. We waited another 20 minutes -- this time inside the tunnel. Finally, we made to AG, but they had given away our table in the cafe, and the next seating wasn't for another hour and a half. The girls were cranky and hungry. Samy started thinking that her birthday was a disaster.

Two of the girls maintained positive attitudes the whole time: "Good thing it wasn't us in that car!" "At least we finally got here!" "Lots of girls never even get to come here!" Surprisingly, Samy, more than any of the other girls, saw the worst in the situation. Perhaps she was hungry, or worried about what her friends were going to think. But I wondered why some people see the bright side, while others just can't? And what are the karmic seeds we need to plant to see ourselves that way? Researchers found that people with naturally pessimistic tendencies are reassured by thinking about the worst case scenarios, whereas optimists soothe themselves by thinking, "I think I can I think I can." But what makes someone an optimist or a pessimist?

Some googling later, and surprise! Studies have found that helping others and feeling gratitude contribute to feeling happy, upbeat and optimistic. Sounds like karma, doesn't it? So here is my wish: may you always be grateful for all of your blessings; may you feel moved to help others to feel as blessed as you; and may your glass always be half full.