Staying optimistic when skies are gray

Hello, my friends!  Wow, has it really been a year since I have written?  A year can go by so quickly sometimes. 

I just wanted to share something about one of my wonderful patients.  All of my patients are wonderful, but this one is especially kind and thoughtful.  The optimist optometrist has had some very joyous and very sorrowful situations this past year, and this patient, at her last eye appointment, said that she sensed that without even seeing me.  She told me that she was thinking of me, and that she was so appreciative of the care I have offered her over the years.  I am so thankful when patients are thankful!  I feel very lucky, because I get to work with some of the kindest patients on the planet. 

Speaking of joy and sorrow, check this out:

"On Joy and Sorrow
 Kahlil Gibran

Your joy is your sorrow unmasked.
And the selfsame well from which your laughter rises was oftentimes filled with your tears.
And how else can it be?
The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain.
Is not the cup that holds your wine the very cup that was burned in the potter's oven?
And is not the lute that soothes your spirit, the very wood that was hollowed with knives?
When you are joyous, look deep into your heart and you shall find it is only that which has given you sorrow that is giving you joy.
When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight.

Some of you say, "Joy is greater than sorrow," and others say, "Nay, sorrow is the greater."
But I say unto you, they are inseparable.
Together they come, and when one sits, alone with you at your board, remember that the other is asleep upon your bed.

Verily you are suspended like scales between your sorrow and your joy.
Only when you are empty are you at standstill and balanced.
When the treasure-keeper lifts you to weigh his gold and his silver, needs must your joy or your sorrow rise or fall."


This piece is something that has hit home with me lately.  We all will have sad or difficult times in our lives.  Everyone does.   But sometimes we need to go through sad times to be able to fully appreciate good times.  We all have good times too.  I'm trying to appreciate all the times in my life, whether pleasant or not.  Hope you do too.

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend :)